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
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.