Businesses Seek Greater Clarity Around Ontario’s Vaccine ‘Passport’

(Toronto – September 14, 2021) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the following statement in response to the Government of Ontario’s announcement on its vaccine passport framework:

“Businesses, particularly small businesses, have suffered greatly over the last 18 months and continue to face unprecedented liquidity constraints and uncertainty. While we welcome further guidance provided by the Province on its proof-of-vaccination framework, there are still outstanding concerns left unaddressed around workplace guidance and business protection. We also ask the Government of Ontario to closely monitor metrics for reopening and consider expanding capacity limits for impacted businesses when it is safe to do so. Specifically, we are asking for clarity on the following questions:

1. Why is the Province not providing guidance with respect to employees under this framework? How can employers protect their workplaces without clarity around immunization of their employees?
2. Is there firm protection for businesses from potential lawsuits or other legal consequences? Small businesses cannot afford legal or human resource counsel.
3. Will businesses, particularly small businesses, receive supports for the additional precautions necessary under the new framework? Many businesses are already in the red and will need to hire additional staff (i.e., staff for enforcement) to implement the new framework.

“A well-designed proof-of-immunization system can help prevent another province-wide shut down and encourage more Ontarians to get vaccinated. That is why we hope to see the app implemented as soon as possible. It is critical that we get this right so we can continue on a safe path to reopening.”

-30-

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

For more information, please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Manager, Public Affairs
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 936-6734