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    COVID-19 Pandemic - Update

    List of news published on the website regarding the pandemic

    List of news published on the website regarding the pandemic

    Date

    		 Subject

    		 Link
    June 15, 2021

    Wearing of medical masks in courtrooms

    		 News of June 15, 2021
    April 7, 2021 Medical mask to be worn at all times during Court of Appeal hearings

    		 News of April 7, 2021
    January 7, 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic - New arrangements for hearings on the merits

    		 News of January 7, 2021
    December 16, 2020 Continuation of activities at the Court of Appeal of Quebec

    		 News of December 16, 2020
    September 1, 2020 Lifting of the suspension of time limits in civil and penal matters

    		 News of September 1, 2020
    August 31, 2020

    		 Resumption of Court Activities

    		 News of August 31, 2020
    July 16, 2020 Suspension of time limits in civil matters and penal matters lifted as of September 1, 2020

    		 News of July 16, 2020
    July 9, 2020 Declaration of a state of health emergency extended until July 15, 2020

    		 News of July 9, 2020
    June 29, 2020

    		 Update - Covid-19 Pandemic - June 29, 2020

    		 News of June 29, 2020
    May 1, 2020 Virtual courtrooms

    		 News of May 1st, 2020
    April 15, 2020 Motions before a judge alone - virtual courtroom

    		 News of  April 15, 2020
    April 7, 2020 Postponement of hearings for the weeks of May 4 and May 11, 2020 - Hearings before a panel
    News of  April 7, 2020

    March 30, 2020
    Service and notification of pleadings
    News of  March 30, 2020
    March 25, 2020 Postponement of hearings for the weeks of April 6 to 9, April 14 to 17, April 20 to 24 and April 27 to May 1, 2020 - Judge sitting alone

    		 News of  March 25, 2020
    March 24, 2020 Update - COVID-19 Pandemic - March 24, 2020

    		 News of  March 24, 2020
    March 19, 2020

    COVID-19 / Postponement of hearings of the Court of Appeal in Montreal: weeks of March 16, 2020, March 23, 2020 and March 30, 2020

    *** See also News of March 25, 2020

    		 News of  March 19, 2020
    March 18, 2020

    Filing proceedings during the state of health emergency

     

    		 News of  March 18, 2020
    March 17, 2020 Postponement of hearings at the Court of Appeal

    		 News of  March 17, 2020
    March 16, 2020 Time limits suspended

    		 News of  March 16, 2020
    March 13, 2020 Pandemic - Update

    		 News of  March 13, 2020

    Hearings on the merits

    As of June 28, 2021, the Court will offer pleaders (counsel or party) the choice of coming to Court for the hearing of their appeal or participating in the hearing via videoconference. The Court office will contact the pleaders concerned in order to inform them of the applicable arrangements for such purposes.

    Please note that a virtual hearing may not be appropriate for certain matters, in which case the Court office will also contact those concerned.

    Applications before a judge alone or before a panel

    In principle, applications before a judge alone or before a panel will continue to be heard by videoconference. When an application is placed on the roll, the Court office will send the parties or their counsel, as the case may be, a notice of hearing containing all the necessary information for the videoconference.

    Upon receipt of the notice of hearing, a pleader (counsel or party) may notify the Court office that they wish to appear in person in Court for the hearing of the application.

    Please note that a virtual hearing may not be appropriate for certain applications, in which case the Court office will also contact those concerned.

    Hearings in courtrooms

    Unless otherwise specified, the presence of a maximum of two pleaders per party or group of parties is authorized. In addition, you will be required to comply with the following measures:

    • Wear a medical mask in accordance with the directive dated June 15, 2021 ;
    • Respect the ceiling on the maximum number of people permitted to be inside a courtroom;
    • Limit your movements within the courtroom;
    • Come to Court no more than 30 minutes before your hearing;
    • Upon arriving at the Court and before entering the courtroom and when leaving it, use the hand sanitizer that has been made available;
    • Inside the courtroom, position yourself at the places identified by red tape;
    • Bring your own water bottle; pitchers of water and glasses are no longer provided;
    • A document filed at the hearing must be accompanied by its technological version on a USB key.

    Suspension of time limits in civil matters

    On March 15, 2020, the Chief Justice of Quebec and the Minister of Justice suspended civil procedure time limits during the health emergency period (Joint Order No. 2020-4251, March 15, 2020). [See the section “Councils and joint orders” below for the list of councils renewing the state of health emergency.]

    On August 31, 2020, the Chief Justice of Quebec and the Minister of Justice signed an order decreeing the lifting of the suspension of time limits in civil matters as of September 1, 2020 (Joint Order No. 2020-4303, August 31, 2020).

     

    An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures

    Extract from the summary of the Act respecting further COVID-19 measures

    "Part 3 of the Act respecting further COVID-19 measures enacts the Time Limits and Other Periods Act (COVID-19) which addresses the need for flexibility in relation to certain time limits and other periods that are established by or under Acts of Parliament and that are difficult or impossible to meet as a result of the exceptional circumstances produced by COVID-19. In particular, the enactment :

    1. suspends, for a maximum of six months, certain time limits in relation to proceedings before courts;
    2. temporarily enables ministers to suspend or extend time limits and to extend other periods in relation to specified Acts and regulations for a maximum of six months; and;
    3. provides for the transparent exercise of the powers it confers and for Parliamentary oversight over the exercise of those powers."

    Suspension of certains time limits in penal matters

    On March 23, 2020, the Minister of Health and Social Services suspended certain time limits in the Code of Penal Procedure (Order No. 2020-009, March 23, 2020) including the following time limits:

    • time limit for filing an application for leave to appeal (art. 296 C.P.P.);
    • time limit for filing a written appearance in the Court of Appeal (art. 303 C.P.P.);
    • time limit for filing a factum and proof of its service in the office of the Court of Appeal (arts. 304 and 305 C.P.P.).

    On August 28, 2020, the Minister of Health and Social Services signed an order decreeing the lifting of the suspension of time limits in penal matters as of September 1, 2020 (Order No. 2020-060, August 28, 2020).

    Virtual courtrooms

    Link to the section dedicated to virtual courtrooms : Virtual courtrooms.

    Councils and Joint orders

    Councils and Joint orders

    • Council 177-2020 (March 13, 2020): CONCERNANT une déclaration d urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 118 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Joint Order 2020-4251 (March 15, 2020): Order 2020-4251 of the Chief Justice of Québec and the Minister of Justice dated 15 March 2020 CONCERNING the suspension of prescription and procedural periods and the use of another means of communication by reason of the public health emergency declared on 13 March 2020

    • Council 222-2020 (March 20, 2020): CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique et certaines mesures pour protéger la santé de la population (only in French)

    • Council 2020-009 (March 23, 2020): Order of the Minister of Health and Social Services ordering of measures to protect the health of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic

    • Joint Order 2020-4267 (March 27, 2020): Order 4267 of the Chief Justice of Québec and the Minister of Justice dated 27 March 2020 - CONCERNING the notification of a document by a technological means during the period of the public health emergency declared on 13 March 2020

    • Council 388-2020 (March 29, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique et certaines mesures pour protéger la santé de la population (only in French)

    • Council 2020-013 (April 1, 2020): Arrêté de la ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux -Concernant l'ordonnance de mesures visant à protéger la santé de la population dans la situation de pandémie de la COVID-19 (only in French)

    • Council 418-2020 (April 7, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 460-2020 (April 15, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 478-2020 (April 22, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 483-2020 (April 29, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 501-2020 (May 6, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 509-2020 (May 13, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 531-2020 (May 20, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 544-2020 (May 27, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 572-2020 (June 3, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 593-2020 (June 10, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique (only in French)

    • Council 630-2020 (June 17, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique

    • Council 667-2020 (June 23, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique

    • Order in council 689-2020 (June 25, 2020): Ordering of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation

    • Order in council 690-2020 (June 30, 2020):CONCERNANT le renouvellement de l’état d’urgence sanitaire conformément à l’article 119 de la Loi sur la santé publique

    • Joint Order 4282 (July 6, 2020) of the Chief justice of Quebec and the minister of Justice dated July 6, 2020 CONCERNING the lifting of the suspension of certain time limits for extinctive prescription, forfeiture and civil proceedings

    • Ministerial Order 2020-050 (July 7, 2020) of the Minister of Health and Social Services dated 7 July 2020 Ordering of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation

    • Order in council 717-2020 (July 8, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 807-2020 (July 15, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 810-2020 (July 15, 2020)- Ordering of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation (obligation to wear a face cover in closed public places)

    • Order in Council 811-2020 (July 22, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in Council 814-2020 (July 29, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in Council 815-2020 (August 5, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in Council 818-2020 (August 12, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in Council 895-2020 (August 26, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order 2020-060 (August 28, 2020): Order of the Minister of Health and Social Services ordering of measures to protect the health of the population amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation

    • Joint Order 2020-4303 (August 31, 2020): Joint Order of the Chief Justice of Québec and the Minister of Justice concerning the lifting of the suspension of prescription and procedural periods in civil matters owing to the public health emergency declared on 13 March 2020
    • Order in Council 917-2020 (September 2, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in Council 925-2020 (September 9, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in Council 948-2020 (September 16, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in Council 965-2020 (September 23, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1000-2020 (September 30, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1023-2020 (October 7, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1051-2020 (October 14, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1094-2020 (October 21, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1113-2020 (October 28, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1150-2020 (November 4, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1168-2020 (November 11, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1210-2020 (November 18, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1242-2020 (November 25, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1272-2020 (December 2, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1308-2020 (December 9, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1351-2020 (December 16, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1418-2020 (December 23, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1420-2020 (December 30, 2020)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 1-2021 (January 6, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 3-2021 (January 13, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 31-2021 (January 20, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 59-2021 (January 27, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

    • Order in council 89-2021 (February 3, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 103-2021 (February 10, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 124-2021 (February 17, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 141-2021 (February 24, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 176-2021 (March 3, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 204-2021 (March 10, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 243-2021 (March 17, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 291-2021 (March 24, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 489-2021 (March 31, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 525-2021 (April 7, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 555-2021 (April 14, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 570-2021 (April 21, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 596-2021 (April 28, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 623-2021 (May 5, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 660-2021 (May 12, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 679-2021 (May 19, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 699-2021 (May 26, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 740-2021 (June 2, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 782-2021 (June 9, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 807-2021 (June 16, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act
    • Order in council 849-2021 (June 23, 2021)- Renewal of the public health emergency pursuant to section 119 of the Public Health Act

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