The bill on the end of the state of health emergency, tabled on Wednesday, provides for the extension of the powers granted to Quebec until the end of the current year. Quebec may, however, put an end to these gradually.
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The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, presented the legislative piece at the Blue Room. A press conference is expected around 12:15 to detail the scope of the bill.
This provides that “the measures provided for by decree or by order of the Minister of Health and Social Services taken under the Public Health Act, and which are in force at the end of the state of emergency sanitary, remain in force until December 31, 2022.
The government may, however, “modify or repeal a decree or order in order to allow the gradual easing of the measures”.
In other words, despite the official end of the state of health emergency, which will end with the expected passage of the bill this fall, most of the measures might remain in force until the end of the current year.
In addition, the legislative document provides that the Minister of Health may also require any document or information necessary to protect the health of the population in connection with the pandemic.
In addition, certain contracts awarded during the pandemic, often by mutual agreement, will be extended.
Thus, contracts relating to the proper functioning of screening or vaccination clinics may continue until December 31.
Similarly, agreements for the storage or transportation of goods acquired during the pandemic can be extended for a maximum period of five years.
More details will follow…
