Quebec Redistributes $1 Billion To Road Accident Victims!

Quebec is redistributing 1 billion dollars (B$) from the kitty of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) to road accident victims.

On Wednesday, Transport Minister François Bonnardel tabled Bill 22, which amends the Automobile Insurance Act and the Highway Safety Code. He said he wanted to "repair a mistake of the past" and ensure an income for injured people beyond the age of 68 so that they have a "decent retirement".

It also grants motorists an income based on the average remuneration of workers in Quebec, in the event of catastrophic injuries, to compensate for the loss of career progression. In addition, the amount granted for home assistance for a quadriplegic person, for example, will increase from $949 to $1,500 per week.

The indemnity for funeral expenses is increased to $7,500, while the criterion related to the age of the deceased disappears from the calculation of the indemnity paid to the surviving spouse.

The SAAQ's surplus amounts to $4.8 billion.

In a press conference, François Bonnardel recalled that the SAAQ was going to put back, this year and next year, more than $1.1 billion in the pockets of the 6.4 million license holders.

“I am very very proud to see that with the fund which is well-capitalized, that we can today give a considerable sum to (24,000) accident victims”, declared the minister.

“They are not numerous, but they are important. This billion that we will give back for them retroactively and in the coming years, I think we owe them that, ”he added.

The Electronic Device For Truckers

The Minister of Transport also took advantage of the bill to amend the Highway Safety Code. It will mandate an electronic logging device (worth $300 to $600) that will replace the daily log that truckers must fill out to track hours of work and rest.

“In 2022, it goes without saying to have data collected on a machine as such, and not to have them on paper,” said François Bonnardel, who does not expect to meet resistance.

“The whole association agrees, but we will give time. We are not going to apply the regulations in the next 30 days; We will give everyone time to prepare well.

It will also be zero alcohol for holders of a learner's license who already have a license of another class, for example, a motorist who wishes to obtain a motorcycle license.

Finally, if the bill is adopted, it will become possible to extend the duration of the mandatory use of the alcohol ignition interlock device in the event of non-compliance with the established criteria.