Opposition Liberal party calling on mandatory vaccinations for Quebec health-care workers
The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) is calling on the Legault government to be "much more coercive" and force health care workers to be vaccinated.
"We're there now," Liberal health critic Marie Montpetit said in an interview Thursday, saying she was "very much in favour of mandatory vaccination" after reviewing the latest figures.
Earlier this week, The Canadian Press reported that 77 per cent of health-care workers across the province have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses.
However, in half of Quebec's administrative regions, the percentage of employees adequately vaccinated is below 75 per cent, according to data The Canadian Press obtained from the Ministry of Health.
On Tuesday, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) took a stand in favour of mandatory vaccination for health care workers across the country.
They cited the "emergence of highly contagious variants", the "stagnation of vaccination rates across Canada" and the "fundamental duty" of workers to ensure patient health.
"We have a weapon against COVID and that is the vaccine. So it's common sense that people who are close to patients get vaccinated. It's a matter of protecting the public," said Montpetit.
"I think people have had time to have their concerns addressed. Now there is the threat of the Delta variant, which should lead the government to be more coercive... right now," she added.
Currently, employees in the Quebec health network are covered by Ministerial Order 2021-024 and must provide their employer with proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Workers who have not received a dose of vaccine, or who refuse to provide proof of vaccination, must undergo preventive screening three times a week.
Health Minister Christian Dubé's office did not respond to the Liberal release on Thursday afternoon.
Québec Solidaire (QS) said it was relying on Quebec Institute of Publice Health (INSPQ) experts, "who have judged so far that there is no substantial advantage to making the vaccine mandatory."
"We are following the evolution of the situation and scientific expertise on the subject," said QS press secretary Mélanie Guillemette.
The Parti Québécois (PQ) is expected to address the issue at an upcoming caucus meeting.
In a sign that impatience with the unvaccinated is growing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke on Thursday of mandatory vaccination for some federal employees.
Montpetit is also calling on the Legault government to obtain the vaccination status of teachers three weeks before the start of the school year.
The Ministry of Health told The Canadian Press this week that this data does not exist, since teachers are not required to inform their employers whether they are vaccinated or not.
"It's very unfortunate that the government has neglected to collect this data, when we know that schools are breeding grounds," said the Liberal MNA.
"The priority is to keep classes open. In light of the data, the government will have to make decisions, and put actions in place if necessary."
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 5, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.