Doug Ford says Ontario is not considering changing proof of vaccination requirement to three doses
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province is not currently considering updating its proof of vaccination requirement from two doses to three.
"Not right at this point," Ford said Thursday following the announcement of a three-step plan to gradually loosen public health restrictions in Ontario.
The premier announced that proof of vaccination will continue to apply in restaurants, bars and gyms, which will begin to reopen at 50 per cent capacity on Jan. 31.
Ford did not announce a date for lifting proof of vaccination in Ontario.
Contrasting Ford’s remarks on Thursday, Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said, “It’s time Ontario require booster shots for vaccine certificates.”
Del Duca said the measure would increase third dose uptake and make the province’s reopening safer.
In December, the province indefinitely extended their proof of vaccination program due to a "sudden escalation" of Omicron cases.
Prior to the discovery of the new variant, the province said the vaccine passport could be eliminated for restaurants and gyms as early as Jan. 17.
By the end of March, Ontario’s vaccine passport and indoor mask mandate was set to expire.
But on Thursday, Ford said the spread of Omicron has “changed the game,” which he said the province could not have forecasted when they originally put the plan in place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.