B.C. vaccine cards: No violation tickets issued to businesses so far, province says
B.C.'s vaccine card system has been in place for one week and so far, no businesses have received a violation ticket for flouting the rules.
As of Sept. 13, anyone visiting discretionary businesses like sit-down restaurants, movie theatres and fitness centres must show proof that they've had at least one COVID-19 shot. By Oct. 24, they'll need to show proof they're fully vaccinated.
Since the program's launch, some businesses and individuals have protested the system.
One video shared on social media over the weekend showed customers arguing with staff and other customers about the province's proof-of-vaccination rules.
Some B.C. businesses have also protested the vaccine card. A Facebook group called BC Businesses against Health Pass has more than 132,000 members and claims its members "believe in medical privacy, and your own personal choice." Meanwhile, some individual businesses have claimed on their social media accounts they won't require proof of vaccination.
Even so, B.C.'s public safety ministry says "no violation tickets have been issued" to businesses since the launch of the new public health order.
"However, complaints are under review," a statement from the ministry sent to CTV News Vancouver says.
The ministry says enforcement may be complaint-driven or conducted by compliance and enforcement officials while they're carrying out their regular responsibilities.
Proof that a person has had one or both doses of COVID-19 vaccine is not required at businesses deemed essential, such as on transit or at grocery stores. A card also doesn't need to be shown when stopping at a restaurant just to pick up a takeout order.
The card is not required in order to vote in the Sept. 20 federal election, nor is it required to access government services.
The vaccine-card requirement will be temporary and is in place until Jan. 31, but the program may be extended.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Alissa Thibault
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.