Ottawa Bylaw receives two calls for customers refusing to show proof of vaccination on day one of vaccine passport
Ottawa Bylaw received two calls about customers failing to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and refusing to leave a business on the first day of the new vaccination passport.
Residents 12 and older must now provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to dine-in at restaurants, and attend bars, gyms, movie theatres, concerts and sporting events in Ottawa and across Ontario.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Bylaw Services says it has received two calls about customers refusing to follow the rules.
"Since the implementation of the provincial regulations related to vaccine passports on September 22, BLRS received two requests for service pertaining to customers not showing their proof of vaccination and refusing to leave the business," said Roger Chapman, Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services Director.
"In both instances, the business owner was referred to police for enforcement under the Trespass to Property Act."
Under Ontario's proof of vaccination program, Businesses will be asking patrons for a paper or digital copy of their COVID-19 vaccination receipt and a piece of government-issued ID.
Speaking at the Mayor's Breakfast at Ottawa City Hall, Mayor Jim Watson urged people to respect the rules.
"We know the implementation of vaccine passports may be tough for some small businesses, this is the best way forward to avoid more lockdowns, which is the last thing we want," said Watson.
Watson urged any businesses facing unruly customers to call 311 and report it to Ottawa Bylaw.
"We understand this continues to be a difficult time for everyone and ask that patrons support businesses in following the regulation, in consideration of the hardship they have faced during the pandemic and to prevent further lockdowns," said Chapman.
Ottawa Police told CTV News Ottawa it hadn't received any calls about customers not following the rules.
"If a patron refuses to provide his vaccine passport as requested and enters a business, the City of Ottawa Bylaw Services should be contacted first as they are the first avenue to pursue," said Ottawa police.
"Whereas if the patron still refuses to leave the store, then Ottawa Police can be called upon to enforce the Ontario Trespass to Property Act."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
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.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
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.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
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.