Doctor urges B.C. government to expand vaccine passport to liquor, cannabis stores
Starting on Tuesday, customers at government-run liquor and cannabis stores in Quebec will have to show proof of vaccination to enter. Dr. Brian Conway with the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre thinks B.C. should follow suit.
“I can see the rationale for these kinds of rules. It will remind the unvaccinated there are consequences to the decision they have made to remain unvaccinated, and hopefully will prompt them to consider asking their questions, getting vaccinated and being part of the solution,” said Conway.
In Quebec, the expanded vaccine requirement triggered a surge in first dose vaccinations. The premier tweeted that 6,000 people signed up for their first jabs in the day after the announcement that liquor and cannabis stores would soon require it, compared to 1,500 per day in the preceding weeks.
New research from a team of economists at Simon Fraser University found when vaccine passports were announced across Canada, a spike in first dose immunization appointments always followed.
“For a segment of the population, this seems to encourage them to either get the vaccination or to get it sooner,” said SFU economist and study co-author Shih En Lu.
The pre-print study, which has yet to be peer reviewed, found daily vaccination registrations doubled after the B.C. government announced its proof of vaccination card for non-essential businesses back in August 2021.
By Oct. 31, it found 150,000 more British Columbians had registered than data would predict based on daily sign ups from before the vaccine passport announcement.
“One thing that our study can’t tell, the limitation of our study is whether these are people who would have done it later but did it sooner because of the mandate, or if these are people who would never have done it,” said Lu.
Conway says either way, vaccine passports work, and B.C. should consider adding government-run liquor and cannabis stores to its mandate.
Employees at government liquor and cannabis stores already have to be vaccinated in British Columbia. The union that represents them says those workers would appreciate knowing that customers have also had the jabs.
“For us, it is about the health and safety of our members and our workers,” said B.C. General Employees' Union president Stephanie Smith.
“We are watching Quebec where this will come into effect, and we want to see what the impact is on workers who are now going to enforce this vaccine passport,” said Smith, who added the B.C. government has not yet approached the union about expanding the vaccine requirement.
She suggested the big surge in vaccine appointments in Quebec after its announcement about liquor and cannabis stores could convince the province that it’s time to start that conversation.
“I wish everyone would get vaccinated because they see it as the right thing to do, to protect themselves and their families and their communities. But you know, if Quebec is having success here, I guess the numbers speak for themselves,” said Smith.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.