'I'm hoping it plays out smoothly': Toronto businesses react to vaccine passport rollout
It was a busy lunch-hour at Hone Fitness on St. Clair Avenue West, despite new requirements that each member produce documents proving they're fully vaccinated.
"It's a good idea, a little bit of extra work, but it's worth it," patron Ted Wilson told CTV News Toronto.
Floor Manager Andre McPherson, meanwhile, said the rollout has been smooth, although regrettably, the gym had lost some clients.
"They haven't come off super angry about it. It's just, you know, 'It's unfortunate that I have to cancel my membership, you guys have been great, but I really don't want to get the shots.'"
Two doors east, at Philosophy Fitness, owner Phil Ortwein says he's actually seeing customers returning to his facility. At one point during the pandemic, Ortwein says he lost about 80 per cent of his business.
"Many of my customers who were maybe a little hesitant to come back in, now all of the sudden feel a sense of relief."
Indoor gyms, pools, restaurants, bars, sports venues, bingo halls, theatres and casinos are all places that will require proof of vaccination.
"I'm hoping that it plays out pretty smoothly. You know, like, we were hoping that they would implement the vaccine passports, knowing it would be safer for the customers, and being safer for the staff," said Sienna Ebbinghaus, manager of the Sunset Grill on Wellington Avenue West.
Ebbinghaus says she's hoping for the best -- but is prepared for the worst.
"We have security on standby. We will call the police on you if you're giving the staff an issue. It's not our fault this is happening and we will enforce if we have difficult customers."
Meanwhile, the owner of Cocoa Latte on St. Clair West says she and her husband have decided to shut their indoor dining down, because they don't want to deal with enforcement.
"I really don't want to deal with clients who are going to be arguing with us, and we want to make sure our girls come to work and enjoy coming to work and aren't going to be stressful to deal with new government laws," said owner Christina DaSilva.
The city's General Manager of Emergency Management and COVID-19 Incident Commander, Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, says coordinated enforcement teams want to support local businesses. Pegg says he is encouraging people to be patient, and to "understand that each of these businesses are simply complying with the regulations that the provincial government has put in place."
"I understand people's fear. I understand it's difficult," gym patron Cindy Letterman told CTV News Toronto. "I think I'm apprehensive of, is there going to be a lot of angry people not being able to go places?"
Chief Pegg says where businesses require assistance in a non-emergency capacity, they should call 3-1-1, and if there is an imminent risk to public safety, they should call 9-1-1. Pegg added that while health inspectors and municipal law enforcement officers will be "out and about", the response will largely be complaint-based.
Children under 12 are still exempt from the regulations, given they are not eligible for vaccination.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.