The Canadian government has “intercepted and interrogated” some 27 of 130 passengers on board the now infamous Sunwing party flight from Montreal to Mexico.
Speaking at a news conference today in Ottawa, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said authorities are continuing their investigation and that the government of Quebec is looking at “penal and criminal issues” surrounding the flight.
“Transport Canada rules were broken,” he said.
Video footage surfaced this week showing influencers and Quebec reality TV actors partying on a flight from Montreal to Cancun on December 30. A bottle of vodka appeared at one point, and passengers were dancing and carrying on. One passenger appeared to be vaping.
Duclos said four flights have brought home 27 Sunwing passengers from Cancun to Canada and that they were all questioned, tested for COVID-19. They also were screened to check their vaccination status, pre-arrival test results and quarantine plans.
Quebec authorities will be following up to make sure quarantine rules are followed, he said.
The Globe and Mail reports that, under the Canadian Aeronautics Act, anyone “’acting in an unruly or dangerous behaviour onboard an aircraft could be liable for a fine of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of up to five years.’ And under Ottawa’s separate Interim Order Respecting Certain Requirements for Civil Aviation Due to COVID-19, passengers could be fined up to $5,000 each, and airlines or corporations could face fines of up to $25,000.”
Duclos condemned the actions of some Sunwing passengers and their irresponsible behaviour.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this week called the passengers “idiots,” and said their behaviour was a “slap in the face” to Canadians.
