Act to postpone the coming into force of certain provisions of the Act primarily aimed at establishing collective responsibility for improving access to medical services and ensuring the continuity of the delivery of these services.

Full Title:
Act to postpone the coming into force of certain provisions of the Act primarily aimed at establishing collective responsibility for improving access to medical services and ensuring the continuity of the delivery of these services.

Summary#

Bill 16 would postpone the coming into force of several provisions of the Act on Access to Medical Services and Continuity of Services.

The main changes would be as follows:

  • Provisions scheduled for January 1, 2026, would instead come into force on February 28, 2026.
  • Some deadlines would be moved from December 31, 2025, to February 27, 2026.
  • Several objectives and monitoring periods would be calculated based on periods starting April 1 rather than the calendar year.
  • Certain dates set for 2026, 2027, and 2028 would be pushed back by three months.
  • Chapter VIII of the Act, which includes Articles 130 to 207, would be repealed. This means it would be removed from the Act.

The bill was presented by Christian Dubé, Minister of Health, in the second session of the 43rd Legislature of Quebec. It would come into force on the date of its assent.

What This Means for You#

The concrete effect depends on the provision affected by the postponement.

For the public, several measures of the previous law would begin to apply later than expected. Changes affecting access to medical services, continuity of care, or the monitoring of network objectives could therefore be delayed.

For doctors, health facilities, and network managers, administrative deadlines and national objectives would be adjusted. Some reference periods would start on April 1 instead of January 1.

The repeal of Chapter VIII means that the measures provided in its Articles 130 to 207 would no longer be part of the law. The provided text does not specify the detailed content of each of these articles.

Costs#

The bill does not present any cost estimates or savings.

The postponements could incur administrative costs related to modifying schedules, tracking systems, and implementation rules. The financial consequences of the repeal of Chapter VIII are not specified.

No publicly available information.

Supporters' Viewpoint#

The text indicates that the bill is presented by the Minister of Health. However, it does not provide detailed arguments from the government or other supporters.

No publicly available information.

Opponents' Viewpoint#

The text does not present reactions from opposition parties, health professionals, organizations, or other groups.

Opponents may want to assess whether the postponements delay expected improvements in access to care. However, no specific position is provided in the text.

No publicly available information.