Quebec Wants to Keep Powers until December 31
March 22, 2022
During the adoption of the bill ending the state of emergency, the health measures that are in current application will remain in place until December 31.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, introduced the Bill 28, on Wednesday in the Blue Room, in order to end the state of health emergency, that is in current application since March 13 2020, in Quebec.
Some contracts about the bill could last for five years witch, consequently makes the opposition upset. Quebec has no intention of giving up all its power. They want to keep ”operation measures” to ”stay agile” in case of a sixth wave in autumn. They also want to keep the power to change a decision.
”These are temporary measures, but essential for the transition,” said Minister Christian Dubé at the press conference.
If the minister wanted to, he could order to any department or agency to give him access to any necessary documents or informations for the protection of the health of the community, linked to the pandemic, even if it contains personal or confidential informations.
Christian Dubé, the Minister of Health and Social Services, wants to make permanent his rights to have access to these informations, noting among others, for the vaccination. This is why he has tabled a bill about it in December. Unfortunately for him, it won’t happen until the end of the state of emergency.
Without the usual contracting process, the contracts made during the pandemic will be maintained until December 31 because of the bill 28.
”(For over-the-counter contracts), we do more and there will be more,” pleaded Mr. Dubé, who says he offers ” moral assurance” to Quebecers.
To be concluded, the contracts must be essential ” to ensure the proper functioning of vaccination clinics”, the storage and transport of goods acquired during the pandemic.
According to Louis-Philippe Lampron, the public rights specialist, the law project should contain dispositions obliging him to give a sign of recognition to be allowed to enter a place about the project.
”It’s really on accountability where the government has an important job to do, in my opinion. There is nothing in Bill 28,” said Louis-Philippe Lampron, law professor at Laval University
Reactions from opposition parties:
”I find that appalling. The government is giving itself powers until 2022, this is a first problem. Second problem: there are contracts that can be given up to five years later. We are going to elections, to an electoral campaign, and he still arrogates all the powers to himself. It’s a masquerade,” said Dominique Anglade, Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party
”There is nothing that changes. The government has the same powers in its hands. He can agree to the same decisions. And above all, and this is my immense disappointment, without any accountability or debate in the National Assembly. So, it is a trickery for the people of Quebec,” said Vincent Marissal, health spokesperson, Quebec solidaire