How does Ontario’s vaccine-passport system stack up with what other provinces are doing? Here’s what we know

The announcement comes as the province is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Ford said the move is necessary to protect public health and safety, and to help get the economy back on track. He also noted that it will be up to businesses to decide whether or not they want to require proof of vaccination for entry.

The other provinces that have announced similar plans are Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.

• “Let’s be clear, the Delta variant is here and it’s a very, very real threat, particularly to the unvaccinated,†Ford said. “Folks, please, the facts are clear. The vaccine is the best tool we have to keep people safe.â€

The B.C. government announced last week that it was expanding its vaccine eligibility to include people aged 30 and over, as well as Indigenous people aged 18 and over. The move came after the province had already opened up eligibility to those aged 40 and over. The announcement led to a surge in vaccine appointments being made, with more than 100,000 bookings made within 24 hours of the announcement.

“It’s a classic example of the ‘availability heuristic’ in action,” Deonandan said. “When people are presented with an opportunity, they tend to take it, even if it’s not necessarily the best option for them.”

Deonandan said that while B.C.’s program may be beneficial for some people, it could also lead to overbooking and overcrowding at popular destinations. He added that it is important for people to consider all their options before making a decision about where to travel.

• “This is where the vaccine passports really work well,†said Deonandan of people who have previously been apathetic about getting vaccinated. “Because suddenly, it tilts in favour of that risk-reward ratio and provides an incentive to them to get vaccinated where there wasn’t one before.â€

He stated that it should only be used in cases where there is a clear and present danger to the public, and that it should not be used as a tool for political gain. Ford also noted that the certificate should not be used to target specific individuals or groups, but rather to address broader issues of public safety.

• “This is a temporary tool that we won’t use for a day longer than we have to,†Ford said..

• ..as does every other fat little tyrant.

British Columbia: The province has a digital vaccine certificate program that allows people to prove their vaccination status. It is available to anyone who has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it can be used to access certain services, such as restaurants, bars, gyms, and movie theatres.

Quebec: Quebec’s vaccine certificate program is similar to British Columbia’s but with some additional restrictions. Vaccinated individuals must show proof of vaccination in order to enter certain establishments or events with more than 250 people. They must also present proof of vaccination if they are travelling outside the province.

Manitoba: Manitoba has a voluntary vaccine certificate program that allows vaccinated individuals to prove their status. However, there are currently no restrictions on where the certificates can be used or what activities they can be used for.

Ontario: Ontario’s vaccine certificate program is similar to those in British Columbia and Quebec, but with some additional restrictions. Vaccinated individuals must show proof of vaccination in order to enter certain establishments or events with more than 50 people. They must also present proof of vaccination if they are travelling outside the province or attending an event with more than 500 people indoors or 1,000 people outdoors.

Ontario

• Dates: Proof of full vaccination will be required as of Sep. 22, but the Ontario vaccine certificate QR code will not be ready until Oct. 22. In the meantime, residents will use a PDF vaccine receipt that they can download or print, and be required to show identification.
• Settings: Only indoor locations will require vaccine certificates, with the particular exception of nightclubs, which all will require them. The certificates will be required at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, meeting and event spaces, fitness facilities, sporting events, casino and gaming establishments, concerts and artistic events, strip clubs and racing venues.
  Staff of the restricted venues will not be universally required to use the vaccine certificate, but employers can decide to require staff to get vaccinated.
  The certificates will not be required for any essential services, religious services or personal services such as salons and spas. Weddings and funerals will have requirements for negative COVID-19 tests, but no vaccine certificate will be required.
• Exemptions: Children under 12 and those with a valid medical exception.
• Enforcement: Enforcement will be left to bylaw officers. Ford says he hopes businesses and their patrons will “do the right thing†and co-operate with one another when showing their proof of vaccination.

The most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to practice social distancing, wear a face mask in public, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it away immediately, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, and stay home if you are feeling sick.

British Columbia

• Dates: Starting Sep. 13, B.C. residents will need to prove they have one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. They will need to prove they are two weeks past their second dose by Oct. 24.
• Settings: Indoor sporting events, indoor concerts, indoor dining, nightclubs, high-intensity fitness centres, organized gatherings such as weddings and recreational classes and activities.
  Staff of the restricted venues will not be universally required to use the vaccine certificate, but employers can decide to require staff to get vaccinated.
  The card will not be used for access to retail stores, faith services, health services or grocery stores.
• Exemptions: Children under 12 and those with a medical exemption.
• Enforcement: Businesses will be required to check vaccine certificates, and have been told to call the police if they are met with anger.
• Reception: Appointments for jabs skyrocketed in the province this week after it rolled out plans for a vaccine passport system. Experts say the B.C. experience is showing that incentivizing people to get vaccinated can help nudge those on the resistant end of the spectrum to change their minds.

Manitoba

• Dates: Manitoba was the first to introduce a vaccine card on June 8. Starting on Sep. 3, it will be required for admittance to more locations.
• Settings: The card has been used since June to exempt vaccinated Manitobans from quarantine rules when they return to the province, and to gain admittance to big gatherings such as sporting events and concerts.
  Starting Sep. 3, restaurants, performance venues, nightclubs, other licensed venues and fitness centres will be required to check vaccination status.
• Reception: An official with Manitoba’s government said that province did not see an uptick like British Columbia’s after introducing vaccine cards on June 8, but added that the Manitoba rules around proof of vaccination weren’t as strict as those in B.C.

Quebec

• Dates: The vaccine certificate came into effect Wednesday.
• Settings: Bars and restaurants, nightclubs, fitness classes and centres, performance venues, organized gatherings, conventions and outdoor places, such as amusement parks, where more than 50 people are present at a time. Contact outdoor fitness activities also require the certificate.
  Private gatherings, weddings, funerals, and spas are not included in the program, nor are libraries, museums, or any essential service.
• Exemptions: Children under the age of 12, those with medical exemptions and, in the case of dining establishments, the homeless. The same restrictions will not apply to staff of the restricted venues, and Quebec officials have said requiring staff to be vaccinated could break the province’s labour laws.
• Reception: A spokesperson for Quebec’s government said they couldn’t confirm whether appointments jumped in that province in the wake of vaccine passport plans.