Ontario premier releases statement one day before COVID-19 vaccine certificate is implemented
Ontario’s vaccine certificate system will take effect at midnight, making it mandatory for individuals to present proof of vaccination for access a host of non-essential businesses and settings.
Once the system goes into effect, Ontarians will have to produce photo ID and a copy of the vaccine receipt they received upon getting their second shot for a range of activities, including dining indoors at restaurants and bars and working out at gyms.
But the Ford government has said that they plan to have an app ready by Oct. 22 that will allow businesses to simply scan a QR code to confirm a patron’s eligibility to enter.
In a statement released earlier on Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford acknowledged concerns about civil liberties as the province gets set to implement the system but he said that the “greater concern” remains shutting down businesses amid a “sudden surge” in cases.
“There are a lot of people who are concerned about this policy and I want you to know that I hear you. I understand your concerns about protecting your civil liberties and right to privacy. While many fully vaccinated people like myself share these concerns, the greater concern is having to shut down again or experience a sudden surge in cases like in Alberta and Saskatchewan,” he said. “This pandemic remains an emergency and there are real-world consequences of not acting. We must continue to do everything we can to protect our hard-fought progress so that we can provide businesses the stability they need and deserve.”
Ford and several of his ministers insisted for months that Ontario would not introduce a mandatory vaccination requirement but the government ultimately changed course amid a rapid rise in case counts attributed to the Delta variant.
Ford hasn’t spoken with reporters since attending a news conference to announce the new system three weeks ago but he did attempt to address some concerns in the statement he released on Tuesday morning, ostensibly to congratulate Justin Trudeau on his re-election.
In a separate media availability later on Tuesday, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore also stressed that the vaccine certificate is a “temporary measure” introduced amid “good evidence” that COVID-19 outbreaks are occurring in some indoor settings like nightclubs.
“This I think is a balanced response and it's proportionate to the risk as we head into the fall and the winter,” he said. “It is to protect individuals; it's actually to protect unvaccinated individuals because as they aggregate they're the ones that have the highest risk of getting admitted to hospital.”
MOORE HOPES TO SEE VACCINATION RATES RISE ONCE POLICY IS IN EFFECT
While Ontarians who are 12 plus will have to produce proof if vaccination for access to many settings stating tomorrow, there are a number of exceptions, including to use the washroom at a bar or restaurant or to participate in youth sports.
There will also be no proof of vaccination requirement to dine on patios or shop in retail stores.
Moore said that he is optimistic that the system will convince more people to get vaccinated while helping to keep businesses open amid the fourth wave of the pandemic.
“Looking at the population that has the least protection right now it is the 20 to 39 year old population. They have the highest rate of infection, they have still are getting hospitalized as a result of infection, and a lower rate of immunization. I think that age group that likes to go out, that is naturally social, that takes advantage of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, I think once it clicks in in the coming days that you must be vaccinated to get inside that will change behaviors. That's my hope,” he said. “We certainly want them better protected as we go into the fall and winter and I hope we see a steady rate rise.”
SOME BUSINESSES CONCERNED ABOUT ENFORCEMENT
Some businesses have raised objections over the fact that the onus is being put on them to enforce the new policy, however the idea of requiring that individuals be vaccinated in order to access certain business has received widespread support.
Speaking with CP24 on Tuesday morning, Toronto Mayor John Tory said that he believes that those who are opposed to the system are largely people who have some sort of “ideological” opposition to vaccination and who refuse to roll up their sleeves even though that decision is placing them at an increased risk of ending up in hospital or dying as a result of COVID-19.
“You know, they hate themselves to be frank,” he said. “There's nothing ideological about this. It is simply a practical means of making sure we keep people safe.”
A number of other provinces have already rolled out vaccine certificate systems, including Quebec.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
New analysis of Beethoven's hair reveals possible cause of mysterious ailments, scientists say
High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.