New tool is helping Ontarians easily show their proof of vaccination
Ontarians are required to show proof of vaccination before entering a number of non-essential settings and one group of volunteers is aiming to make the transition as smooth as possible.
The new tool, created by the team of Ontario volunteers made up of software engineers, healthcare workers, students and more, is helping residents add their proof of vaccination to their iPhone Apple Wallets in a few simple steps.
The tool is meant to serve as a solution in the interim between now and Oct. 22, when the province says a standardized QR code system will come into effect.
The tool guides users through saving their proof of vaccination PDF from the MOH’s website, prompts them to then upload it onto their website and then allows users to add the proof to their Apple Wallet with a click of a button.
“No personal data is sent to the internet,” the group says. “[The] QR code is for verification only, with no personal info.”
The colour of the pass within your Apple Wallet will depend on your vaccination status. One dose is shown as orange, while two doses appears as green “for easy differentiation without reading the text.”
One of the creators, Billy Lo, told CTV News Toronto on Tuesday that his team was keen to help in any way they could.
“For software engineers, we cannot treat patients, right? But it's really an all hands on deck situation, so we can help in other ways,” Lo said.
The group of volunteers is the same responsible for creating the all-in-one vaccine appointment finding tool at vaccine-ontario.ca.
“All of us [are] quite eager to kind of do our own civic duty,” Lo said.
“I think this is a lot of bad news lately but there's also some good news.”
So far, they say that 58,028 receipts have been processed through their tool since Sept. 2.
On their website, the volunteers say that they have plans to expand into Andriod usage and potentially into additional provinces, depending on volunteer interest.
The Ministry of Finance told CTV News Toronto Wednesday that they are building an app and plan to release it as open source software, but that there will remain options for those who do not have access to digital tools.
“We want to stress that digital first doesn’t mean digital only. On Oct. 22, people will have the choice to download the QR code enhanced vaccine certificate or they can continue to use the print version,” Ministry spokesperson Amanda Brodhagen said.
“We are aware of vaccine certificate tools being developed by volunteers, and while we appreciate groups bringing forward novel solutions, we strongly encourage Ontarians to examine any product's privacy and security policies, and to be cautious of sharing personal data, especially health information.”
The Ministry also underlined that the app they're developing is for businesses to scan QR codes and that the public will only have to show those codes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.