An infraction of this type is treated the same as a driving violation basically.All they are interested in is the money, and there is no criminal record. Your friends should file a complaint with the Quebec Ombudsman( there is an English site and instructions on line). There is no guarantee that anything can be done, but if you give his office all the details along with the officers names,maybe they will be called to task. You could also write the MP for the James bay District and complain to them also- Tourism is a big part of their lifeblood.Sorry about your luck, but unfortunately incompetent and dishonest authorities are not confined to any one place or country.