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
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.