The present shutdown and social barriers are likely to take longer than expected, and social tensions might arise. Let’s be extra kind and tolerant to our neighbours, as national “cabin fever” could break out, with anger and many just defying the sensible social rules. Prepare for a long social change.
There are three quarantine Acts of Parliament in Canada: Quarantine Act (humans) and Health of Animals Act (animals) and Plant Protection Act (vegetations). The first legislation is enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency.
The second and third legislations are enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. If a health emergency exists, the Governor in Council can prohibit the importation of anything that it deems necessary under the Quarantine Act.
Under the Quarantine Act, all travelers must submit to screening and if they believe they might have come into contact with communicable diseases or vectors, they must disclose their whereabouts to a Border Services Officer. If the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the traveller is or might have been infected with a communicable disease or refused to provide answers, a quarantine officer (QO) must be called and the person is to be isolated. If a person refuses to be isolated, any peace officer may arrest without warrant.
If there are reasonable grounds to believe that the traveler might have a communicable disease or is infested with vectors, after the medical examination of a traveler, it can order them into treatment or measures to prevent the person from spreading the disease. Any traveler can be detained who refuses to comply with an order or undergo health assessments as required by law.
Under the Health of Animals Act and Plant Protection Act, inspectors can prohibit access to an infected area, dispose or treat an infected or suspected to be infected animal or plant. The Minister can order for compensation to be given if animals/plants were destroyed pursuant to these Acts. Each province also enacts its own quarantine/environmental health legislation.
The federal government has announced emergency financial helping measures. The Government has been in discussions with opposition Parties to minimize the number of Members of Parliament recalled on Tuesday March 24, respecting the current proportion of Party representation. A minimum of 20 Members of Parliament must be present for the House of Commons to exercise its powers. The Senate will convene March 25, and the new measures will be proclaimed on March 26, 2020. The bureaucracy will then have the authority to roll out programs in local communities.
1 comment:
Kinda slow to recognize reality, but better late than never. The Official Opposition has been rightly pressuring the government for action, and now it is finally responding. Let's hope the non-political public servants deliver programs efficiently.
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