Fake medical mask exemption cards are currently sold online and could expose manufacturers and buyers to criminal prosecution.
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“To create a card which seems to emanate from the Canadian government with the intention to deceive, it is frankly to make a false document”, launches Me Cédric Materne, criminal lawyer at Riendeau law firm.
In recent days, “medical exemption cards” have been offered on Facebook groups that propagate conspiracy theories.
Courtesy Photos
Some offer fake exemption cards on the internet. In these photos, we can see the front of the card (left) and the back of the card (right).
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The design is reminiscent of the social insurance card. You can read the inscription “I have a health problem that prevents me from wearing a mask or a face covering”.
In the right corner appears a Canadian flag, then, lower, are affixed the seal “medical care” and the caduceus, symbols generally associated with official medical documents.
The telephone number of the Canadian Human Rights Commission is also on the back of the cards.
The appearance of this false document comes a few days after Quebec announced the compulsory wearing of face covers in all public places closed as of Saturday. Violators risk a fine of $ 400 to $ 6,000 for repeat offenses.
The English version of the card began to be distributed this week in Ontario. The wearing of the mask is also required in closed public places in some cities like Toronto since July 7, which forced the authorities to issue a warning to the population, reported CTV.
In a few clicks
A card request made in a few clicks by the representative of the Journal was very easily approved without ever having to prove that any medical condition prevented him from wearing a mask.
Just send an email to a given address and transfer the modest sum of $ 8: “$ 5 for the card plus $ 3 for sending,” said the person responsible for the sale. No questions, nothing.
She specifies that the order for cards will be received on July 22.
Criminal act
“The cards that circulate are fraud,” argues the communications manager at the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Véronique Robitaille.
“The legislator is not stupid with the production of false documents”, recalls meanwhile Me Materne.
And it’s not just the manufacturers who face criminal charges.
“Those who obtain and use the card could also be accused of using false documents,” warns Me Isabelle Briand, lawyer and former chief prosecutor of the Office for the fight against corruption and embezzlement (BLCM).
Both of these Criminal Code offenses are punishable by up to 10 years in prison, according to counsel.
Contacted by The newspaper, the Sûreté du Québec was not aware that such cards were sold on the internet.
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