B.C. woman turned away from popular Toronto tourist spot because vaccine certificate doesn't include key detail
A woman from British Columbia travelling to Toronto was turned away from one of the most popular tourist destinations because her province's vaccine certificate doesn't include a key piece of information.
B.C. resident Sarah Sangha was visiting Toronto this week, and thought she had come prepared.
"I've had no problem going to different places around the city," Sangha told CTV News Toronto. "Knowing that the vaccine passport would be launching in Ontario the week that I was arriving, I came with both a paper copy and the app."
The app, is the digital proof of vaccination that residents of British Colombia can install on their phones, that comes with a QR code.
Sangha said she visited a number of restaurants and tourist attractions during her time here, all accepting her B.C. digital proof of vaccination.
But Thursday night, while trying to enter the CN Tower, where she had reservations to dine at the restaurant inside, staff told her that her provincial proof of vaccination wasn't enough.
"It was not admissible for them," Sangha said. "They weren't able to scan the QR code and they asked me if I had a paper copy. But in B.C. once you get the app and you get the QR code you no longer need that paper copy."
Along with the code, which isn't readable here, the proof of vaccination issued by the B.C. government only shows the date the certificate was issued and not the date of vaccination.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Health's website, to enter a business or organization, visitors must provide both proof of identity and proof of vaccination- showing that their final dose was at least 14 days ago.
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, Jennifer Paige, the CN Tower's Director of Marketing and Communication said "Guests are advised to review the information they intend to provide as proof of vaccination (or proof of qualifying for an exemption) and proof of identification to ensure it is complete and accurate and that it meets the criteria established within the province of Ontario."
Sangha says she ended up eating elsewhere after being turned away at the CN Tower, and says she hopes issues like this can be ironed out for future tourists visiting the province.
"I think if interprovincial travel is allowed, which it is, then the provincial governments need to be speaking to each other and they need to ironing this out so it's not impacting tourism.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.