People’s Party leader Maxime Bernier yesterday said he was the first politician in Canada to be jailed without committing a crime. Bernier agreed to pay $2,000 in fines and costs in Manitoba Provincial Court for technical breach of 2021 pandemic restrictions.

“It was a dark time in Canada,” Bernier told the Court. “I am proud of what I did.” Bernier in an Agreed Statement Of Facts said he had not quarantined as an out-of-province visitor prior to attending a series of 2021 election rallies in southern Manitoba.

“It was the first time in Canadian history a politician was thrown in jail for a non-crime,” Bernier said in a statement. “It was an embarrassing example of political repression.” Bernier spent a half day in RCMP custody prior to his release on bail.