The Supreme Court of Canada is currently reviewing a Quebec case that may have extensive implications for policing practices nationwide. The Quebec attorney general is challenging a previous ruling that deemed random police traffic stops as a violation of Quebecers’ rights due to racial profiling concerns. This case, initiated by Montreal resident Joseph-Christopher Luamba, has been progressing through the legal system for four years.
Following presentations from Quebec’s attorney general, Luamba, and various interveners on Monday and Tuesday, the Supreme Court is expected to deliver a decision within several weeks to several months. The case questions the necessity and legality of random traffic stops by police across Canada.
Joseph-Christopher Luamba, the individual at the center of the case, experienced multiple unwarranted police stops within 18 months of obtaining his driver’s license. Despite complying with traffic regulations, he felt targeted due to his race during these stops, none of which resulted in any citations.
A previous ruling in October 2022 by Quebec Superior Court Judge Michel Yergeau declared that Quebec’s Highway Safety Code, specifically Article 636 allowing random traffic stops, infringed on Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms articles seven and nine. The Supreme Court had previously justified random stops in a 1990 case but recent evidence suggests a link to racial profiling.
The Quebec attorney general is contesting this decision, supported by police authorities and organizations like the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), who argue for the importance of random traffic stops in ensuring compliance with traffic regulations and detecting offenses like impaired driving.
Moreover, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has intervened in the case, emphasizing the significance of random stops in combating impaired driving. Despite acknowledging racial profiling as a significant issue, the Quebec attorney general maintains that police conduct random stops without considering the driver’s race.
The suspension of random police stops in Quebec since April 2025 has led to a legal battle that could impact similar practices in other provinces. If the Supreme Court rules against Quebec, it could influence the implementation of traffic stop rules in other regions operating under the 1990 Supreme Court precedent allowing random stops for specific purposes like checking sobriety or verifying licenses.