Canadian political leader held for violating health act

Maxime Bernier, leader of People's Party of Canada, was arrested Friday afternoon as he violated a public health act in Manitoba of Canada, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, reported Xinhua.

Bernier is charged under the Public Health Act for attending a rally against COVID-19 restrictions in Manitoba province and for failing to self-isolate once he got to the province.

Bernier was pulled out by police who handcuffed him and put him in the back seat of a vehicle of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on his way to another event.

Before his arrest, Bernier got a ticket for violating public health orders at a rally earlier Friday. He said he planned to fight it.

Local police said Bernier knew of the health act and has already received a ticket, and the continuation of the offense of violating the current public health orders in Manitoba has resulted in his arrest.

Manitoba, with a population of 1.3 million, reported 223 new COVID-19 cases Friday morning, bringing the cumulative total to 53,872.