information for each province and territory

Saskatchewan on Thursday became the latest province to announce plans to introduce vaccination passports.

What are provinces and territories saying about their vaccination passport programs or lack of them?

British Columbia

British Columbians need a vaccination passport to enter restaurants, clubs, paid sporting events and organized events such as weddings. People have to prove that they have received a dose of the vaccine to go to gyms, fitness centers and casinos. After October 24, people 12 years of age and older will need to be fully immunized at least seven days before going to these facilities. The passport can be downloaded to mobile phones and paper versions are also available.

Albert

Alberta introduces a vaccination passport system. Starting September 20, businesses or event planners who screen visitors for vaccination passports or who have recently tested negative for COVID-19 will be exempt from the new restrictions. For example, restaurants that do not require proof of vaccination will only be able to receive visitors outside. Retail stores and nightclubs will only be one-third crowded with visitors, while people must wear masks and keep a distance of two meters.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan introduces vaccination passports on October 1. Proof of vaccination will be required in nightclubs, bars, casinos, cinemas, museums, restaurants (indoor) and during sporting events. Passports will not be required for government departments, retail or grocery stores, churches, hotels, or amateur sporting events (for which tickets are not sold). Unvaccinated visitors may also have a negative COVID-19 test result.

Manitoba

Manitoba launched vaccination passports – both digital and paper – in June. On Friday, the province is expanding the list of places where they must be presented. The list includes sporting events and indoor and outdoor concerts (for which tickets are sold); indoor theaters and cinemas; restaurants, including patios, nightclubs, gymnasiums and casinos.

Ontario

Beginning September 22, Ontarians 12 years of age and over will be required to present their vaccination passport and photo ID to gain access to indoor restaurants and bars, nightclubs, meeting and event venues, at gymnasiums and theaters. Starting October 22, residents of the province will receive a QR code that will serve as proof of vaccination, which businesses can scan using the government app. Proof of vaccination will not be required to access services, including retail stores and hairdressers.

Quebec

Quebec introduced vaccination passports on September 1, which are mandatory to access certain non-essential activities and establishments, including bars, restaurants, gymnasiums, festivals, sports fields, cinemas and other large-scale events. This also applies to all indoor and outdoor sports that involve prolonged contact with others. The vaccination confirmation can be downloaded on the VaxiCode smartphone app or presented in PDF or paper format.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick said vaccination passports are not needed now, but could be issued in the future to make it easier for residents to travel across Canada. Premier Blaine Higgs has said the province’s COVID-19 situation is manageable, but said if other provinces start requiring vaccination passports New Brunswick may have to introduce them as well. The province has also sought advice from the federal government, which plans to introduce vaccination passports for international travel in early fall.

New Scotland

Beginning October 4, residents of Nova Scotia aged 12 and over will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to “participate in discretionary, recreational or non-essential activities.” The system will apply to restaurants, gymnasiums, cinemas, theaters, concert halls and sporting events. People will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of the vaccine or a single dose of the vaccine (which includes one dose) approved by the World Health Organization. The province said it would develop an option for people who cannot be medically vaccinated.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Premier Andrew Fury recently announced that Newfoundland and Labrador will introduce a vaccination passport system in the coming weeks, modeled on the one used in Quebec. On Twitter, he said proof of vaccination would be uploaded to a smartphone app or provided on paper. The tweet stated that a passport would be required for non-essential recreational activities, and it was accompanied by images that included a restaurant menu, fitness classes, a concert, a hockey game and a bingo card. The province already allows residents to upload proof of their immunizations online, in case they need it while traveling elsewhere.

Prince Edward Island

There is no vaccination passport in Prince Edward Island, but the province requires travelers or residents returning from another province to check in with a PEI pass. The pass is available to those who have received a single dose or who are fully vaccinated, depending on their origin. The pass frees travelers from quarantine when entering a province.

Yukon

Yukon launches online passport system for COVID-19 vaccination. Prime Minister Sandy Silver said credentials will be available online and will help residents when asked to confirm vaccinations in other areas, including when traveling. The system will provide residents with the option of receiving a digital copy or printing a hard copy of the vaccination certificate.

Northwest Territories

In the Northwest Territories, residents can request their immunization data, but the territory says it will not create a passport system.

Nunavut

Nunavut has said it will not have its own vaccination passport system, but the province will follow federal requirements as they are adopted.

On topic: Complete list of places in British Columbia you won’t get without a vaccination passport

A source