Legault axes debate on vaccine passports
Says would only spur conspiracy theories
MONTREAL • Quebec Premier François Legault is refusing to hold a debate in the legislature on vaccine passports partly because he says he fears Quebecers would be exposed to conspiracy theories.
Legault adds that neither debates nor legislative hearings are needed on his government’s plan to impose vaccine passports because the three largest opposition parties support the health order.
Quebec’s second- and third-largest opposition parties, however, have called for a debate in the legislature on the passport system.
Legault says he feels he has support from citizens for passports because 85 per cent of residents over 12 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Speaking to reporters in Saguenay, Que., north of Quebec City, Legault said today he doesn’t want people “whom I won’t name” to claim that vaccines are a conspiracy and the government is looking to put chips in people’s arms to track their movements.
Legault has said the state will require people to show proof of vaccination to access non-essential businesses such as gyms and restaurants by Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, Quebec reported 369 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and no additional deaths linked to the novel coronavirus. Hospitalizations rose by 14 from the day before, to 81, and 28 people were in intensive care, a rise of six.
“I don’t want certain people, whom I won’t name, come explain that there’s a conspiracy, (that) it’s not good to be vaccinated, that in the end we’re putting a microchip in people’s arms to follow what they’re doing, stories like that,” Legault told reporters.
“I don’t think we need that in Quebec.”