Quebec mayor defends $100 fine for rudeness

Mathieu Turbide, QMI Agency Last Updated: April 10, 2011
CHAMBLY, Que. - A Quebec town mayor has to defend his decision in court to fine a citizen $100 for being arrogant.  Denis Lavoie, mayor of Chambly, about 30 km southeast of Montreal, was given authority by the city last fall to fine citizens who disrupt council meetings. The fines range from $100 to $500.  Lavoie, who is also an investigating officer for the provincial police, alleges that Stephane Houle wouldn't stop talking over him during a  council meeting last December.  Houle is accused of demanding the mayor provide him financial information regarding an arena project.  Houle contested the ticket and will plead his case on Wednesday in municipal court.  "I find it sad, but it's not true that I will let the city council become a place where people can verbally attack one another," said  Lavoie.  He added that other cities ask police to remove disruptive citizens from council meetings.  "That's their way of doing things," Lavoie said. "Me, I think the police have other things to do."  Houle was fined $100 plus $44 in extra charges.  QMI Agency wasn't able to contact Houle or his lawyer for comment.