How Ontario's proof of vaccination system will be enforced in Ottawa
Ontario's proof of vaccination system is now in effect. Residents who wish to visit certain businesses, such as restaurants, or attend sporting events must show proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
At present, businesses will be asking people for a paper or digital copy of their vaccination receipt and a piece of government-issued ID. Next month, Ontario plans to launch a smartphone app for this purpose.
Ottawa Bylaw spokesperson Michael Lalonde told CTV Morning Live on Wednesday morning that bylaw's role would be ensure compliance with the regulations.
"Businesses who are part of the list that are required to ask for a vaccine passport will be required to ask patrons prior to entering their business for proof of vaccination, along with a piece of identification, to make sure that everyone in the establishment is protected from COVID-19," he said.
Lalonde said bylaw would rely on the public to report businesses that are not checking for proof of vaccination, but he's not expecting many calls.
"We're not expecting a high rate of call volume because in Ottawa we do have a high rate of vaccination, with 82 per cent of people 12 years and older fully vaccinated," he said. "We also believe this will be a tool that is welcomed in the business community because it does protect their employees and their customers from COVID-19 transmission within their workplace."
Lalonde said if a customer becomes forceful in their refusal to present their proof of vaccination, the business should call the non-emergency line for Ottawa police, which is 613-236-1222.
"We do believe that people understand that the pandemic has been really hard on businesses for the past 18 months and the main goal with this is to keep them open," he said.
Bylaw will be conducting some proactive enforcement. Lalonde said there would be spot checks to see if businesses are asking for proof of vaccination, but bylaw will still be relying on reports from the public.
"If we do see a business that is not complying with the regulations, then it is something that is a concern for us and for public safety and we want to rectify this as quickly as possible."
Non-compliance comes with a fine of $750, which rises to $880 with the victim surcharge, but Lalonde said he does not expect to write many tickets.
"We do believe that Ottawans are very understanding of the businesses having hardship over the past 18 months," he said. "We don’t wish to impose (fines) on any business, so that's why, at first, we're going to be doing education because it is a new regulation within the pandemic realm and we want to make sure that the exceptions are all captured and all the regulations are captured for your specific business."
Why some businesses and not others?
While restaurants, bars, movie theatres, sports venues and gyms require proof of vaccination, other businesses, such as retail stores do not.
Small business advocate Michael Wood told CTV Morning Live part of the issue is the removal of masks.
"I think, when we look at restaurants, people are sitting there without a mask on. I think that's what that's trying to combat," he said. "Any place that they say you can, or should, or have to take a mask off is where you'll have to show it, so I can see why that's the case."
Wood said business owners are not keen on enforcing the new rules, but he added that he believes most residents of Ottawa will be understanding.
"I've been setting up these pop-up vaccination sites at small businesses and initially people were worried about protesters and there's been no problem, so I would like to think that the people in this city have proven along the way that they are going to follow the rules," Wood said. "This is a government mandate, not a small business mandate. That's important to remember; the business is just following what they've been told they have to do by the government so, moving forward, I really think that everybody's going to be on their best behaviour."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for ‘oafish’ comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.