Quebec deputy premier joins growing list of MNAs sidelined with COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise across Quebec, and the provincial legislature is not immune.

A total of nine members of the National Assembly seven from Coalition Avenir Qubec, one from Qubec Solidaire and one from the Quebec Liberal Party have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks, includingPremier Franois Legault and, mostrecently,Deputy Premier and Public Security Minister Genevive Guilbault.

Guilbaulttook to TwitterWednesday morning to announce she contracted the virus after taking care of her daughter, who tested positive overthe weekend.

"I have cared for her since and had symptoms on Monday, confirmed by a positive test yesterday," she wrote. "I will therefore remain isolated until Saturday, in accordancewith public health guidelines."

Wednesday's regular cabinet meeting was conducted virtuallyas several MNAs were in isolation. But with the end of the current legislative session just a few weeks away and COVID-19 cases expected to keep climbing, there is concern aboutthe fate of many bills.

"It's definitely affecting the work at the National Assemblybecause peoplecannot show up," said Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade.

"[This] will create a logjam that'sgoingto have an impact on our ability to pass a numberof bills."

Qubec SolidaireHouse Leader Gabriel Nadeau-Duboissaid he's "a little worried" about the case numbers rising among MNAs, but politicians need to keep doing their jobs, carefully reviewing and debating legislation.

"It would be a huge failure for the Coalition Avenir Qubec if they impose closure to end this session," he said.

"Itrust public health authorities to give us the advice we need in order to fulfil our mandate here in the last weeks."

Government House LeaderSimon Jolin-Barrette says the government can adjust committee work amid the surge in cases, saying he already had to do that this week since TransportMinister Franois Bonnardel tested positive over the weekend and couldn't proceed with theclause-by-clause studyof his bill modifying the SAAQ and the Highway Safety Code.

"Weare able to collaborate[...] and work together to pass different bills until the end of the session," saidJolin-Barrette.

The wave of positive cases in the provincial legislature comesas Quebec's interim public health director Dr. Luc Boileauis warning of an imminent sixth wave of COVID-19, driven by the Omicron variant BA.2.

The subvariant is 30 to 50 per cent more contagious than Omicron, he said, and that's why cases are rising everywhere.

The number of hospitalizations has gone up by 47, reaching 1,200, in the last 24 hours, according to Quebec Public Health.

Also in the last 24 hours, Quebec recorded 3,067new cases, which is considered an underestimate, since PCR testing of the general public was stopped in early January.