Business group advocates for COVID-19 vaccine passport in Sask.
As COVID-19 cases rise across Saskatchewan, some business groups and small business owners are voicing support for vaccination passports.
Lynn Armstrong is a Regina business owner who maintains measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. She now does business primarily by appointment and still records customer names for contact tracing.
“I don’t feel that we have come out of it yet. I don’t think we have enough of an economic recovery plan,” said Armstrong, who owns Zoe Shoes.
The group that represents small business in Canada is calling on government to have a plan to prevent another lockdown. The Canadian Federation of Business said it believes vaccine passports should be a part of it.
“The majority or thereabouts of Saskatchewan small business owners support using mandatory vaccinations to participate in those larger or more at risk events, like large public gatherings or international travel,” said Jonathan Alward, prairie director with Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) would include mandatory vaccines for health care workers.
“You still need to be respectful and have discussions around that, but if there’s not medical reasons, it’s not a lot that would trump the safety aspect when one works with the vulnerable population,” said Dr. Eben Strydom, president of the SMA.
Armstrong said she has been giving COVID-19 prevention a lot of thought.
“We can’t do another lockdown, and I feel I have done my part in maintaining my business as a safe place and I think other small business owners have done that, too. I don’t think that we should be punished for other decisions that are related to huge gatherings.”
The Saskatchewan government’s position remains unchanged. It encourages health care workers to get vaccinated but isn’t going to force the issue and it rules out a provincial vaccine passport.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Suspect shot after multiple people stabbed in downtown Vancouver: police
A 'number of people' were stabbed in downtown Vancouver Wednesday before a suspect was shot by police, authorities say.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
Warm, wet winter expected in much of Canada, say forecasters
Federal forecasters expect a warmer-than-normal start to winter in most of Canada, with more precipitation than usual in parts of the country.
Air Canada to bar carry-on bags for lowest-fare customers
Air Canada plans to bar carry-on bags and impose a seat selection fee for its lowest-fare customers in the new year.
French government toppled in historic no-confidence vote
French opposition lawmakers brought the government down on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a political crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and rein in a massive budget deficit.
Why are some Canada Post outlets still open during CUPW strike?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
opinion Tom Mulcair: The one place in Canada where Poilievre can't break through is Quebec
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says Pierre Poilievre has only himself to blame for his poor performance in the polls in Quebec.
$80-million jackpot: 2 winning tickets sold in Canada
There are two winners of the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot, Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has announced. The prize will be split between two tickets sold in Quebec and Alberta, respectively.
Sweden and Finland want citizens to be prepared for war. Should Canada do the same?
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches its third year, nearby Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland are preparing their citizens to survive during a military conflict. Should Canada be doing the same?