Bill C-10

An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19

Sponsor

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is, or will soon become, law.

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment authorizes the Minister of Health to make payments of up to $2.5 billion out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund in relation to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests.
It also authorizes that Minister to transfer COVID-19 tests and instruments used in relation to those tests to the provinces and territories and to bodies and persons in Canada.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-10s:

C-10 (2020) An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts

C-10 (2020) Law Appropriation Act No. 4, 2019-20

C-10 (2016) Law An Act to amend the Air Canada Public Participation Act and to provide for certain other measures

C-10 (2013) Law Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act

Votes

Feb. 15, 2022 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-10, An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-10 is legislation that would authorize Health Canada to spend up to $2.5 billion for the purchase and distribution of COVID-19 rapid tests across Canada, with the aim of supporting provincial and territorial testing needs, workplace screening programs, and other high-risk settings. The bill also allows for the transfer of COVID-19 tests and related instruments acquired after April 1, 2021, to provinces, territories, or other entities within Canada. Some concerns were raised about the lack of a plan on how to lift mandates and restrictions, a lack of financial accountability, and questions about the value of testing at this stage of the pandemic.

Liberal

Strong support for Bill C-10: The Liberal Party strongly supports Bill C-10, which provides Health Canada with the authority to spend up to $2.5 billion to purchase and distribute COVID-19 rapid tests across the country to support provincial needs, workplace screening, and federal testing initiatives. Members believe this bill is vital in the fight against COVID-19 and helps to contain and mitigate the pandemic through testing.
Essential tool for pandemic management: Rapid testing is seen as an essential tool to quickly detect COVID-19 in various settings such as schools and workplaces. It helps break the chain of transmission, especially with the rise of asymptomatic infections from the Omicron variant. Liberals emphasize that testing, along with vaccines and public health measures, is crucial to protecting Canadians and reducing outbreaks.
Criticism of Opposition messaging: The Liberals criticize the Conservative opposition for questioning the necessity of rapid tests and spreading mixed messages that contribute to public confusion and misinformation. Liberals highlight the government's efforts to acquire and distribute rapid tests and accuse the Conservatives and Bloc of delaying the bill's passage.
Importance of surveillance: Members emphasize that rapid tests are crucial for surveillance and tracking the spread of COVID-19, enabling targeted responses in areas with higher infection rates. They lamented the failure of provinces to widely adopt a tracking app and that this has hampered efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

Conservative

Criticism of government's handling: The Conservatives criticize the government's handling of rapid testing as a failure, citing broken promises to provinces and a lack of prioritization since the pandemic's start. They claim the bill is "too little, too late" after two years of inaction and incompetence.
Call for parliamentary oversight: The Conservatives argue for parliamentary oversight and committee study of the bill, questioning the urgency and lack of transparency, especially regarding the allocation of $2.5 billion. They emphasize the need for accountability and the best possible legislation for Canadians.
Questions about suppliers: The Conservatives express concern about the selection of rapid test suppliers, referencing past government scandals and failures in procurement. They question why Canadian companies with approved tests in other countries were not chosen.
Rapid tests are useful: While critical of the government's management, the Conservatives acknowledge the usefulness of rapid tests, sharing personal anecdotes and emphasizing their importance in protecting mental health and providing peace of mind. They express that tests are most effective with timely delivery.

NDP

Supports rapid access to testing: The NDP strongly believes in expanding access to COVID-19 testing for Canadians as quickly as possible and therefore supports the legislation to authorize the Minister of Health to make payments for COVID-19 tests and transfer them to provinces and territories.
Government accountability: The NDP negotiated accountability measures with the government, ensuring that the government will report to Parliament every six months on the number of tests delivered, where they were delivered, and when.
Benefits for vulnerable populations: Increased rapid testing will benefit those most at risk for contracting COVID-19 with severe outcomes, including people over 60, those with chronic conditions, racialized communities, and low-income Canadians in frontline positions, as well as women, who are overrepresented in older age groups and essential frontline industries.
GIS clawback rectified: As part of negotiations, the NDP secured a commitment from the government to ensure that seniors who had their Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) clawed back due to receiving CERB benefits will be paid no later than April 19, with some potentially receiving help as early as mid-March.

Bloc

Bill supported, but insufficient: The Bloc supports Bill C-10, which provides a one-time payment for pandemic-related testing expenses, but argues that it does not address the fundamental issue of long-term health transfer cuts. These cuts are compromising the health care system in Quebec and other provinces.
Increase health transfers: The Bloc Québécois strongly advocates for an increase in federal health transfers to cover 35% of health care costs. They criticize the federal government's reluctance to address this issue and its attempts to delay discussions until after the pandemic, which they see as out of touch with the reality of ongoing health care needs.
Respect provincial jurisdiction: The Bloc emphasizes the importance of respecting provincial jurisdiction in health care. They oppose the federal government's tendency to interfere in provincial matters while failing to adequately fund health care through transfers. They believe Quebec should have the autonomy to determine its specific health service priorities.

Green

Supports bill C-10: The member supports the passage of Bill C-10 to get testing resources distributed. However, she cautions that testing alone is not a complete solution to the pandemic.
Urges continued vigilance: The member argues against complacency and emphasizes the need for ongoing measures such as social distancing, masks, and adherence to public health advice to combat the virus effectively, warning against the idea that the virus will simply become milder over time.
Global cooperation is essential: The member stresses the importance of global collaboration, including vaccine equity and the removal of patent protections, to effectively combat the virus and protect both domestic populations and the developing world.

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An Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19Government Orders

February 15th, 2022 / 12:15 a.m.

Some hon. members

Question.

An Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19Government Orders

February 15th, 2022 / 12:15 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

The question is on the motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request a recorded division or that the motion be adopted on division, I would invite them to rise and indicate it to the Chair.

The hon. member for Winnipeg North.

An Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19Government Orders

February 15th, 2022 / 12:15 a.m.

Liberal

Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB

Mr. Speaker, we ask that there be a recorded vote, please.

An Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19Government Orders

February 15th, 2022 / 12:15 a.m.

The Deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont

Pursuant to an order made earlier today, the division stands deferred until Tuesday, February 15, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

Accordingly, pursuant to order made earlier today, the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 15, at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 12:19 a.m.)

The House resumed from February 14 consideration of the motion that Bill C-10, An Act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

An Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19Government Orders

February 15th, 2022 / 3:15 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

It being 3:16 p.m., pursuant to an order made on Monday, February 14, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at the second reading stage of Bill C-10.

Call in the members.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #28

An Act Respecting Certain Measures Related to COVID-19Government Orders

February 15th, 2022 / 3:30 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to a committee of the whole.

Pursuant to the order made on Monday, February 14, 2022, Bill C-10, an act respecting certain measures related to COVID-19, is deemed considered in the committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage, deemed read a third time and passed.

(Bill read the second time, considered in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, concurred in, read the third time and passed)