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
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.