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
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.