(Quebec) The Legault government awarded $6 billion in over-the-counter contracts, concluded under the state of health emergency, which gave it exceptional powers to award contracts during the two years of the pandemic.
Posted at 3:05 p.m.
For the entire duration of the state of health emergency, more than 4,500 contracts have been concluded by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, health establishments, the Center for Government Acquisitions (CAG) and the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SIQ), we learn in the event report on the state of health emergency linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, tabled Tuesday in the National Assembly.
The total value of these contracts is $6 billion. The majority of contracts were for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). These contracts also made it possible to acquire medical supplies used in the health network, such as in hospitals and screening centres, as well as for the hiring of human resources.
We also learn that the net cost of the health crisis between March 13, 2020 and March 31, 2022 is estimated at $15 billion. These sums were invested from the health and social services portfolio to enable Quebec to deal with COVID-19, the document states.
The Legault government filed the document under section 129 of Public Health Act, which provides that the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, must take stock, within three months of the end of the state of health emergency, of the use of these exceptional powers. The Prime Minister, François Legault, had made a commitment to do so before the end of the parliamentary session on June 10.
Quebec lifted the state of health emergency on 1er last June with the adoption of Bill 28. Minister Christian Dubé nevertheless retains certain exceptional powers until December 2022, in particular operational and human resources measures to allow, for example, more professionals, such as veterinarians , carry out vaccination and screening activities.
Under the new law 28, the government is also maintaining certain contracts concluded under the health emergency for a maximum period of five years. These contracts and their values are detailed in the event report.
A total of 193 contracts related to vaccination and screening can be extended until December 31, 2022 for a value of 89 million. Those affecting distribution and storage may be extended and maintained for a maximum period of five years. These are 80 contracts with a value of 72 million.