President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President On August 11, Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino confirmed that Canada is, in fact, getting a vaccine passport for international travel. The Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to develop a secure “pan-Canadian approach.”The provinces and territories actually hold and track vaccination data, so their participation is critical. For Canadians who decide to travel, using a proof of vaccination will provide foreign border officials with the vaccination history needed to assess whether a traveller meets their public health requirements, as well as to provide a trusted and verifiable credential for when they return home. This certificate will be common across all provinces and will include the individual’s COVID-19 vaccination history, date on which they received their inoculation, the type of vaccine that they received and the location at which they received their shot. It will be available to all citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents living in Canada − provided that they are fully vaccinated. Destination countries will determine if or what type of proof of vaccination is required and the related benefits that may be provided, such as reduced or no testing or quarantine requirements. Canadians who do not have a proof of vaccination can travel outside of the country, but they may have to quarantine or meet other requirements at their destination country, and they will be subject to mandatory quarantine and testing upon return to Canada. As Ron Steeves discusses in his Government Relations column elsewhere in this issue, there is currently no international consensus regarding an acceptable proof of vaccination. We have asked the Government of Canada to work with international partners to ensure the recognition of Canada’s vaccine program, which includes mixed vaccination schedules, extended dose intervals and a variety of Health Canada-approved vaccines. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed that, although the credentials will be issued digitally, they will also be made available in hard copy form for those without access to a smartphone or similar device. The federal government expects the vaccination credential to be available early this fall. While the federal credential is intended primarily to facilitate international travel, provincial certificates geared towards protecting local economies and health systems are beginning to roll out. Quebec has announced the introduction of a provincial vaccine passport scheduled to be implemented on September 1. It will be available through a free mobile phone application. Those without access to these devices will be able to show paper proof of full vaccination. The passport will allow Quebecers access to a wide variety of non-essential services and gathering places such as restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theatres, outdoor festivals and sporting events. As of September 1, only those who can display these credentials will have access to these services. The government’s stated intent is to control the spread of COVID-19 without having to implement another major lockdown. The vaccine passport will only be used to access non-essential services and will not be required to enter retail stores or schools. Children under age 12 will not need to provide proof of vaccination, as there are currently no approved COVID-19 vaccines for that age group. In British Columbia, as of September 13, people aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of one dose of vaccine to enter a broad range of social, recreational and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province. As of October 24, entry to these locations will require people to have been fully vaccinated and they must have received their second dose at least seven days prior to arrival. Places that will require proof of vaccination include indoor sporting events, indoor and patio dining in restaurants, movie theatres, gyms, pools, indoor organized gatherings such as weddings, conferences, etc. Proof of vaccination will not be required to access retail stores, faith services, health services or grocery stores. A secure web link will be provided and publicized prior to September 13, where people will be able to access their proof of vaccination. B.C. residents will be able to save a copy to their phones, to display when entering these establishments. Individuals who cannot access their proof of vaccination online will be provided with a “secure alternative option.” Manitoba issued a proof of vaccination card in June that allows residents to skip mandatory quarantine when returning to the province from international travel. It is also used to provide access to sporting events, restaurants, bars and any private business that requests proof prior to entry. Other provinces continue to debate whether to adopt these domestic measures, while some have already ruled them out. With more and more private businesses jumping on board and widespread public support, I suspect that most provinces and territories will eventually adopt similar measures. There’s a great deal of change to many of the rules and regulations that govern our dayto-day lives both here at home and abroad. The Canadian Snowbird Association will continue to keep you up to date so that you will have the information which you need in order to make informed decisions, as we begin what we all hope is the final phase of the pandemic. 14 | www.snowbirds.org
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