A Gatineau mayoral candidate was taken into police custody Tuesday morning while launching his campaign on a highway median.

Gatineau mayoral candidate Francois D'Aoust launched his campaign on the Highway 50 median at the de la Gappe exit on Tuesday morning. (Patrick Pilon/Radio-Canada)

Francois D'Aoust was waving a shovel with the word "Merci" on it and was shouting at passing vehicles on Highway 50 during the morning commute at about 6 a.m., according to Radio-Canada reporter Patrick Pilon, who was there.

A Sûreté du Québec police cruiser showed up to the de la Gappe exit at about 6:30 a.m. and took D'Aoust into custody.

He was issued a fine of $501.

D'Aoust's campaign was set to officially launch at 8 a.m.

D'Aoust returned just before 8:10 a.m. for a press conference at a cafe just a five-minute walk away from the highway, Pilon reported.

Municipal elections across Quebec are set for Nov. 3.