Health Emergency End: Powers extended until the end of the year

With its bill on the end of the health emergency, presented Wednesday, the Legalt government will have a number of extraordinary powers that will be phased out until the end of the year.

Read also – We go here again: some countries are infected with COVID-19 again

Also read: Kovid-19: Quebec records 11 additional deaths

“We are ending a health emergency, but we need a bill to ensure the transition I call prudent and responsible. […]”, Minister of Health Christian Dubey summed up.

Therefore, the measures still in force when it is approved – by the end of April – will be in effect until December 31, 2022. Quebec is able to gradually let go of these extraordinary powers.

“Take the example of the mask. […] Anytime Dr. Boyleau says public health can remove it in a few weeks, we will remove it by April, but we can not go back, ”Mr Dube explained. Ditto for the vaccine passport, which has already become a matter of the past.

Thus there remain “operational” qualifying measures such as bonuses for health care workers, distance education or exemptions to allow specific trades to participate in vaccination.

“I know people would not like to hear about it, but there may be a sixth wave,” Mr Dubey argued.

Over-the-counter deals

Similarly, Quebec extends some contracts, often awarded tenders without calls.

Contracts for the proper functioning of screening or vaccination clinics will last until December 31, while contracts for storage or transportation of goods acquired during the epidemic will be extended for a maximum of five years.

Concern in the Opposition

Opposition groups called for a boycott of the assembly. “Once again, this is a government that wants to keep control over all the levers, and they can spend as they please,” Liberal leader Dominic Angled denied.

“It simply came to our notice then. The government has the same powers, ”said United Deputy Vincent Marissall.

PQ leader Paul Saint-Pierre Plamandon called for the publication of a “complete list of decrees” that would remain in force even after the bill was passed, as well as the continuation of contracts concluded by mutual agreement.

Describing the bill as “Trump-L’Oil”, Conservative Party leader Eric Duheim, for his part, called again for an audit of contracts with the Commission of Inquiry into Epidemic Management. Auditor General.

• Listen to an interview with Quebec Health and Social Services Minister Christian Dube on QUB Radio:

See also