UK Edition
Man who offers 'free hugs' fined by transport authorities - then let off with a warning
A Montreal man was hit with a fine of $101 (about £60) last week after offering "free hugs" to passers-by at a Metro station.
Tommy Boucher was stood at Montreal's Jean-Talon Metro station on November 22, wearing his green "Free Hugs" t-shirt, when he was approached by local transport officials who asked if he had a permit.
Writing about the incident on his blog, Boucher, who has been giving out free hugs for around a year, said he was surprised by the question: "The inspector then opened (his) little 'by-laws' booklet and turned pages until he figured out something could stick with what I was doing."
Boucher was fined under STM bylaw R-036, section VIII, subsection II, rule 17, which states: "In a Metro station, after obtaining the authorization of the Societe, it is permitted to offer for sale or lease services or merchandise, or to exhibit or distribute such services or merchandise, subject to the other restrictions in the present bylaw. Under any other circumstance or in any other place, such activities are forbidden."
According to Boucher's blog, the officer told him he can wear the shirt, "but I can't open my arms."
"I know these guys have the mission to keep the peace in the subway… but when they give a ticket to those who actually are (peaceful), where is the world going?"
However, a spokesman for the Metro service has now told CTVNews.ca that the fine has now been withdrawn, and Boucher let off with a warning.
"The STM reiterates that this type of activity must be held outside turnstiles for fluidity and safety reasons," a spokesman said.
Boucher decided to start giving out free hugs after he was offered one himself when he was having a bad morning.
"I took my free hug because I needed it. I found it so great and so easy, I wanted to share and give it back to people around me," he said.
"I was surprisingly really comfortable with it. I just wear the T-shirt and spread my arms."
He says he offers the hugs at Metro stations because "it's the best place where people may be in need of a hug."