Status: Bill 70 received royal assent on June 17, 2021
Ministry responsible: Health
Overview
Bill 70: the COVID-19 Related Measures Act provides Alberta’s health system with civil liability protection in the event of transmission or possible exposure to COVID-19 in health-care settings.
This protection did not exist before in the Public Health Act or any other provincial legislation.
Key changes
The COVID-19 Related Measures Act ensures health services providers cannot be held liable for damages due to COVID-19 spread or exposure as long as they follow public health orders, guidance and legislation. Protection would not apply in the event of gross negligence.
The legislation applies to:
- Alberta Health Services
- regulated health professionals
- health service facilities, including:
- hospitals
- long-term care facilities
- licensed supportive living
- pharmacies
- residential addiction treatment facilities
- any owner, employee, contractor, and others in these groups
- anyone else identified through future regulation as needed
Next steps
Bill 70, the COVID-19 Related Measures Act received royal assent on June 17, 2021, and took effect retroactively on March 1, 2020.
News
- Protecting health services from COVID-19 liability (April 22, 2021)