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
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.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.