[COVID-19] With an abrupt end to the state of emergency, “we will kill people”, warns Boileau

Ending the state of health emergency overnight in Quebec would be tantamount to “killing people”, warns the acting national director of public health, the D^r Luc Boileau.

He testified on Wednesday in a parliamentary committee in favor of Bill 28, which extends certain exceptional powers of the government until December 31, 2022.

According to the D^r Boileau, the government needs these transitional powers to maintain the efficiency of the health care system.

In an exchange with the independent deputy associated with the Conservative Party of Quebec, Claire Samson, the public health expert said that we had to be “realistic”.

“If we stop all this right now, we will be at enormous risk and we will kill people,” he said. We still have to be realistic. »

Ms. Samson had just said that, in her opinion, the government did not need the bill to deal with a new wave. “What’s stopping him from getting ready?” I do not see what prevents it, ”she hammered.

Boileau abused, Dubé called to order

Liberal Health Critic Monsef Derraji asked the D^r Boileau how he could say that COVID-19 resembled a cold and at the same time claim the extension of exceptional powers.

This question also made the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, who was present at the exchange, jump.

He tried several times to interrupt the two men, but was severely called to order by the president of the Health and Social Services Commission, the caquiste Luc Provençal.

“At no time does a minister have the right to interrupt an opposition parliamentarian when the latter is in the process of discussing or having an exchange with the people who are present. »

“It would be nice if that didn’t happen again. Mr. Minister, did you understand my message correctly? insisted Mr. Provençal, who was forced to suspend the session.

Mr. Derraji had just confronted the D^r Boileau to a recent statement by Prime Minister François Legault to the effect that COVID-19 was ultimately just a cold.

Luc Boileau described this remark by the Prime Minister as “true” and “responsible”. COVID-19 now feels like a cold for the majority of Quebecers thanks to vaccination, he said.

“If it is a cold, you have just confirmed it, why so many exceptional measures? continued Mr. Derraji. ” Incredible ! exclaimed Mr. Dubé, arousing the disapproval of President Provençal.

Special consultations on Bill 28 continue on Wednesday afternoon with the testimony of constitutional expert Patrick Taillon.

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