On December 10, 2024, the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility issued Ministerial Order 2024-21 under the Highway Safety Code to extend the suspension of a prohibition related to toll payments for the P-10942 bridge on Autoroute 30. The order builds on the authority granted by section 417.2 of the Highway Safety Code, which mandates that road vehicles cannot use toll roads unless tolls and fees are paid, as stipulated by the Act respecting transport infrastructure partnerships. Section 633.2 of the Highway Safety Code, however, allows the Minister to suspend certain provisions of the Code if it serves public interest and does not compromise highway safety, provided the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) is consulted. This section also exempts such orders from the publication requirements of the Regulations Act, streamlining their implementation.

The need for this extension arises from Ministerial Order 2024-12, which had initially suspended the prohibition on driving vehicles on the P-10942 bridge without paying tolls. That order, set to expire on December 31, 2024, was deemed insufficient to fully address the circumstances that warranted its issuance. After reviewing the situation, the Minister concluded that prolonging the suspension until 2026 aligns with public interest and does not endanger highway safety. This determination was made following consultation with the SAAQ, ensuring the decision reflects broader considerations of transport policy and safety oversight.

Ministerial Order 2024-21 amends section 4 of the earlier order by replacing the original expiration year of 2024 with 2026. This amendment effectively extends the period during which drivers may use the toll bridge without adhering to the toll payment requirement. Such measures indicate the government’s flexibility in adapting transport regulations to evolving needs, particularly in cases involving infrastructure partnerships and toll road management. By delaying the reinstatement of toll payment enforcement, the government appears to be addressing either operational challenges, economic considerations, or public concerns that necessitated the original suspension.

Overall, Ministerial Order 2024-21 aims for a policy that balances statutory requirements, public interest, and highway safety and aims to reflect a collaborative approach to transport governance.

Quebec (MO 2024-21) December 14, 2024