Quebec is considering arming its 300 traffic controllers to enhance safety on the roads. The Transport Minister is expected to make an official announcement in the coming days, allowing these officers to carry firearms as early as 2026.
Due to the risks faced by traffic controllers, including incidents of people attempting to hit them with vehicles, the decision to arm them is being viewed as a necessary measure. Jean-Claude Daignault, president of the Fraternité des constables du contrôle routier du Québec, highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of these workers.
André Durocher from CAA-Quebec emphasized the evolving dangers in the transport industry, such as contraband and stolen vehicles being transported. He believes that arming traffic controllers is crucial for intercepting individuals who pose a threat.
The traffic controllers’ union president mentioned that additional training would be required before they could carry firearms. The objective is for them to use guns only in situations where their safety is at risk from other drivers.
However, Concordia University professor Ted Rutland expressed concerns about the decision, stating that a society with more firearms is inherently more dangerous. He highlighted the principle of relying on law enforcement rather than arming every individual in society.
The move to arm traffic controllers follows a public inquiry into fatal collisions involving heavy trucks, indicating a broader effort to enhance road safety in Quebec. The Quebec Trucking Association supports the decision, believing that having armed traffic controllers back on the roads could improve overall safety.
