Parti Quebecois (PQ) calls for taser moratorium

November 28, 2007
Kristy Rich, CJAD

QUEBEC CITY - The Parti Quebecois is calling on the government to follow the lead of Newfoundland and Labrador, and put in place a moratorium on the use of Taser guns. Public security critic Jacques Cote made the demand following the RCMPs decision to take another look at its use of stun guns, in the wake of the death of a polish immigrant who was stunned last month at the Vancouver airport.

"The minister must act on the side of precaution," says Cote, who said the government should put a hold on the use of Tasers until a group of experts commissioned by the government to look at the use of Tasers releases its recommendations. That report is expected next month.

But, the public security minister says the government will wait for the report before taking action. Jacques Dupuis warned the PQ not to "create unnecessary alarm." Dupuis says only specialized police tactical squads in the province have access to Taser guns. He says there are only 114 tasers owned by police in the province.