Ontario to ‘scope down’ new police COVID-19 powers, source says

TORONTO — The Canadian Press has learned that the Ontario government is expected to backtrack on new police powers to enforce anti-pandemic measures.

A source with knowledge of the discussions – but who was not authorized to speak publicly about them – says a “scoping-down” clarification is currently being approved.

The new powers allow police to stop anyone at random and ask why they’re not at home and where they live.

Read more:
Many Ontario police forces won’t use new COVID-19 powers to conduct random stops

The measures announced by Premier Doug Ford on Friday drew intense criticism.

Civil libertarians and politicians denounced them as overkill.

Police forces across the province also said they would not be stopping drivers or others at random.

More coming.