Vaccines are continuing to be one of the hottest topics of conversation. While we were all so focused on the health benefits of getting vaccinated, we didn’t really think beyond that. As Canada continues to emerge from rolling lockdowns with the rest of the world, vaccine passports are now on the table. While Quebec has gone ahead and ordered one for residents, Ontario isn’t taking the plunge. Regardless of how the provinces decide to handle this, it’s just been announced that Canada will be launching a vaccine passport program for international travel.
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A release on the Government of Canada website reads, “While Canadians should continue to avoid non-essential travel worldwide, the Government of Canada recognizes that proof of vaccination credentials will support the re-opening of societies and economies.”
What is the Vaccine Passport?
This vaccination passport will provide foreign border officials with…well, your vaccination history. This is needed to assess whether a traveller meets the specific public health requirements of their destination. When asked about if a vaccine passport would be used domestically, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister, Dominic LeBlanc said, “If provinces decided in their own jurisdiction that this was another measure that would bring protection to their citizens, they would be able to use this credential.”
I asked Leblanc if the feds vaccine passport could be used in a domestically
— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) August 11, 2021
"If provinces decided in their own jurisdiction that this was another measure that would bring protection to their citizens, they would be able to use this credential"https://t.co/JYePgp9JDz pic.twitter.com/7EfDq4JjBX
There’s no word yet on when this vaccine passport will take effect, but it’s safe to assume that it will be a digital record as well as a physical paper document. If you do plan to travel before the vaccine record/passport exists, make sure to check requirements at your destination. Every country has their own requirements and standards you need to comply with.
Regarding vaccines, The Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health said, “Around the world, vaccination rates are increasing and countries are reopening their borders. We will continue our work with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to provide Canadians with a secure and reliable proof of vaccination, which could be required for international travel. I encourage all Canadians to get vaccinated as soon as they are able to.”
All the Documents You Need to Travel Internationally
The statement on The Government of Canada website also shares that the government is continuing to work with global partners to ensure the recognition of Canada’s successful, science-based vaccination strategy abroad, which includes mixed vaccination schedules, extended dose intervals and a portfolio of safe and effective vaccines. Also important to note is that the government is continuing to engage with Indigenous leaders across the country to ensure that design of the proof of vaccination credential responds to the needs and rights of Indigenous peoples.
“Thanks to the incredible progress that Canadians have made, our country is reopening—gradually, cautiously and guided by public health. This means that many Canadians are contemplating doing something they haven’t done in over a year and a half: travelling. Our work with the provinces and territories to provide a consistent proof of vaccination is a key step forward in ensuring Canadians will have the documents they need once it is safe to travel again,” says The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in a release.
Feature Image: Kylie Anderson, Unsplash
