Thousands of objects intercepted in almost two years in 5 Quebec courthouses

Methamphetamine, Cayenne pepper repellents and American fists were notably seized by the special constables of the Longueuil, Laval, Joliette, Quebec and Chicoutimi justice palaces between June 2024 and March 2025. Almost 3,700 objects, like knives, were abandoned at the entrance to these palace of justice during this same period.

Quebec announced in June 2024 the installation of the security arches in nine courthouses by the fall of 2025 after the attack on a legal interpreter in Longueuil.

So far, metal detection arches have been set up in six courthouses, in Longueuil, Laval, Joliette, Quebec, Chicoutimi and Saint-Jérôme.

The new Roberval justice palace, inaugurated at the beginning of July, is also equipped with metal detection arches. The new courthouses of Rouyn-Noranda and Saint-Hyacinthe will also be equipped with it.

Similar installations will be installed at the Sherbrooke courthouse in the fall of 2025 as in Gatineau and Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. The Ministry of Justice indicates that additional analyzes are required for the latter two due to certain development complexities.

The objective is that the work is completed no later than next winter. The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Security and the Quebec infrastructure society make the maximum effort to achieve this.

The modernization of security equipment in the courthouses aims to strengthen the feeling of security of citizens and workers in the courts who work there every daymentions the communications department of the Ministry of Justice in writing.

Thousands of seizures

Each visitor, who enters the interior of one of these courthouses for an audience, an appearance, a marriage or an appointment, must follow a determined journey before being searched. The special constables check the contents of their backpacks and handbags. Users then cross the metal detection arches.

The Ministry of Public Security explains that objects seized in the context of a survey file may be prohibited by nature, their possession being prohibited, or serve as evidence in files of other offenses, such as the breakdowns of conditions, for example.

Between June 19, 2024 and March 31, 2025, 37 drugs of drugs were intercepted at the entrance to the Palais de Justice de Longueuil, Laval, Joliette, Quebec and Chicoutimi. Twenty-two seizures of methamphetamine, 12 cocaine, two of cracks and one cannabis have been made since the addition of these new safety measures.

A total of 29 prohibited weapons and other objects were recovered by special constables from the five courthouses during these same dates. Nine repellents of cayenne pepper, six American fists and three electric pulse weapons were intercepted during excavations imposed on visitors.

THE seized objects followed by interventions by special constables have all been the subject of a indicates the Ministry of Public Security.

In some cases, objects are voluntarily abandoned at the entrance to the courthouses. They are refused since they can be dangerous or be used badlyspecifies the ministry. In all, 3,680 objects withdrawn were counted between June 19, 2024 and March 31, 2025 in the five courthouses.

Among the most abandoned elements, there are utensils (669), knives (541), pointed plastic and metal objects (503), scissors (396), accuracy knives of the Exacto type (273) as well as metal nail files (186).

Unlike the objects seized, the objects withdrawn have not been the subject of arrest. The refused items are destroyed. If the possession of the object has led to legal proceedings as is the case for seized objects, Quebec indicates that the items are kept as evidence in the file until the order of destruction or release of goods.

Exempt professionals

Some people are exempt from the excavation process at the entrance to the courthouses, which have metal detection arches.

The police as well as the peace agents, the lawyers’ members of the bar, the judges, the judicial stenographers, the social workers of the DPJ, the employees who work at the palace as well as the accredited journalists who cover the judicial activities daily are exempt. To this is added, Any other person with a special authorization, issued by the Minister of Justice or by the Minister of Public Security or their delegate.

Under the law on judicial courts (T-16), other people may After having identified themselves and having proven their quality with persons responsible for the application of safety controls, enter the building or the part of the building without being subject to these controls.

A measure welcomed by the Quebec Bar

The Quebec Bar, for which the increase in the level of security in the Quebec courthouses was necessary, welcomed the establishment of security arches to intercept weapons or metals likely to be nuisance or violence.

We believe that it is crucial to do everything to prevent situations of violence, in particular armed, disturb the serenity necessary for the healthy administration of justice

The Bâtonnier du Québec recalls that the bar was among the first to ask for more security guarantees to protect the public and the professionals who work in the courthouses.

All play an essential role in the functioning of our justice system and deserve to benefit from a feeling of security in the speakers where they work, This me nadeau.

Not sufficient for prosecutors to criminal and criminal proceedings

For years, the association of prosecutors with criminal and criminal proceedings has requested more security for prosecutors and citizens who present themselves in the courthouses.

The president of the association, Guillaume Michaud, deplores that a tragic event should be necessary for Quebec to set up security arches in certain courthouses in the province. He does not hide his concern in the face of the items seized by the special constables.

When I look at everything that is seized by the arches, by the special constables, it is not reassuring for the courthouses which do not have such a systemtestifies to the one who represents the approximately 800 prosecutors of the Quebec state.

Me Michaud stresses that courthouses are frequented by risky customers for those who work there.

Necessarily, these people are criminalized, they can have weapons on them. I am not surprised. I am worried about the people who work in the courthouses who have no archeshe says.

He recalls that anyone called to appear can be disorganized at any time.

Constables now know this when there are excavations and arches, which the person is not armed, he reports. When you intervene, it is much easier and less dangerous for the constables and for procureures.

It is beneficial that there are these measures. Now you have to think about other palaces.

Since the start of the year, 14 security events took place against prosecutors, according to the association.

It means people who threatened prosecutors, who have made assaults, who have intimidated. We have a good year in around 20-25 per year. These are not isolated events. When we say that it is dangerous to do our job, there are events that prove it. We must put the money necessary to improve our safetyexpose M. Michaud.

He stresses that most prosecutors leave justice palaces without security measures. He maintains that Personal security of prosecutors does not exist nearly outside the courthouses.

More protection requested for prosecutors

For years, the association has been refusing refusal as to its requests for secure parking for prosecutors.

We grasp these kinds of objects in the grounds of the courthouse then what is happening outside when the prosecutor goes to his vehicle. It is not protected. He is alonerecalls Mr. Michaud.

It’s not very reassuring. We find that we play with a very thin line. There could happen a very unhappy event, you don’t want it. Unfortunately, we are very worried about that.

The association would also like security systems to be installed at the home of all prosecutors.

The objective is, according to Mr. Michaud, to allow Prosecutors who work daily with criminals to feel safe.