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Bill 248, COVID-19 Public Inquiry Act, 2021

Horwath, Andrea

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Status

Debates

Original

Bill 248 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

Bill enacts the COVID-19 Public Inquiry Act, 2021 .

The Act requires the Lieutenant Governor in Council to establish a commission

under

section 3 of the Public Inquiries Act, 2009

to inquire into and report on the Government of Ontario’s response to the

COVID-19 crisis and to make recommendations respecting the minimization of

future harm, including loss of life, in similar circumstances.

The

Act provides that the commission shall hold hearings in public. It also sets

out timelines for the commission to begin its work, to issue an interim report,

to issue a final report and to make the reports public.

Bill 248 2021

Act to require the establishment of a public inquiry respecting the response to

the COVID-19 pandemic

Preamble

The

COVID-19 crisis has gravely affected Ontarians and has cost thousands of lives.

COVID-19 has also taken a major toll on Ontario’s economy, health systems and

social services. Small business owners have lost their livelihoods and

essential workers have struggled to make rent. Low-income and BIPOC (Black,

Indigenous and Persons of Colour) communities have been hit hardest by the virus.

Ontarians

deserve the chance to learn from the Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis

in order to ensure that we are best prepared when another pandemic or similar

emergency arises in the future.

Therefore,

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of

the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Appointment

of commission

(1) Within

60 days after this Act comes into force, the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall

establish a commission under

section 3 of the Public

Inquiries Act, 2009 to,

(

a) inquire

into and report on the Government of Ontario’s response to the COVID-19

pandemic; and

(

b) make

recommendations respecting the minimization of future harm, including loss of

life, in similar circumstances.

Commission’s

duration

(2) The

commission shall remain in place until it delivers its final report.

Removal

of commissioner

(3) The

Assembly may, by order passed by a vote of at least two thirds of the members

of the Assembly, remove a commissioner appointed to the commission for cause.

Timing

The

order establishing the commission shall provide that the commission shall begin

its inquiry within 60 days after the commission is established.

Hearings

open to public

The

order establishing the commission shall require the commission to hold hearings

and shall require the hearings to be held in public.

Reports

(1) The

order establishing the commission shall require the commission to submit an

interim report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council and to the Minister

responsible for the inquiry within six months after the commission is

established.

Final

report

(2) The

order establishing the commission shall require the commission to submit its

final report to the Lieutenant Governor in Council and to the Minister

responsible for the inquiry within 12 months after the commission is

established.

Reports

to be made public

(3) The

order establishing the commission shall require the commission to make each

report it submits public within 10 days after the report is submitted.

Extension

for final report

If the

commission requests an extension to the time period set out in subsection 4

(2) for submitting its final report, the Lieutenant Governor in Council shall amend

the order establishing the commission to,

(

a) extend

the time period for the final report in accordance with the commission’s

request;

(

b) require

the commission to submit a further interim report to the Lieutenant Governor in

Council and to the Minister responsible for the inquiry no later than 12 months

after the commission is established; and

(

c) require

the commission to make its further interim report public within 10 days after the

report is submitted.

Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the COVID-19 Public Inquiry

Act, 2021 .

Date Bill stage Event Outcome Committee

February 17, 2021

First Reading

Vote

Carried

Debates and Progress

First Reading

February 17, 2021

Committee

Second Reading

Committee

Third Reading

Royal Assent

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