As the federal government deliberates, MPP Greg Rickford said he is in support of the use of a “vaccine passport” for International travel.
“Over the past summer, I had the opportunity to meet with tourist operators across Northwestern Ontario,” said Rickford. “During this time, I heard loud and clear that a ‘vaccine passport’ would be a positive step forward in a plan to open the borders and welcome American visitors back to the great Northwest.”
On March 12, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the consideration of a vaccine passport program to be put in place for International travel and compared it to established programs that are already in place for tropical diseases.
However, Trudeau said he is hesitant to implement a vaccine program domestically.
“There are some people who, because of medical conditions or other reasons, will not be able to get vaccinated,” said Trudeau. “There are others who are not on priority lists who will have to wait much longer before getting vaccinations. These are things that we have to take into account.”
According to CBC, experts have suggested the creation of a smartphone app to contain the digital proof that an individual has been vaccinated. Another option is a paper-based system, like the system being used in Israel, could also be implemented for the less digitally inclined.
Domestically some provinces already require children to be vaccinated before starting school. CBC said Ontario and New Brunswick require immunizations for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella. Manitoba requires a measles vaccination.
At this time, the federal government is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated as quickly as possible but Trudeau made a point of saying they are not wanting to discriminate or bring an unfairness in the process.
Rickford said, “I am encouraged to hear reports that the federal government may be considering the implementation of a ‘vaccine passport’ for people entering Canada from other countries.”
