Sault chamber applauds proof of vaccination framework
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is onside with its Ontario counterpart in calling for a uniform vaccination policy across the province -- and across the country.
They say such a policy would take away the burden from businesses having to implement their own policies.
In the absence of such a policy, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce is releasing a proof-of-vaccination framework for business to follow in the interim.
"Unfortunately, Ontario's approach to date has been putting all that burden on individual businesses, on the individual business to create, implement and enforce their own rules," said Daniel Safayeni, vice-president of the Ontario Chamber.
Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce CEO Rory Ring said the approach affects small businesses the most.
"All the big banks have put in mandatory vaccination, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Live Nation, very large organizations," said Ring. "But when you take a look at your small business community, they don't have the capacity to develop these policies on their own."
Safayeni said a government-imposed proof-of-vaccination policy will got a long way to preventing potential lockdowns during the fourth wave.
"If we are confronting a situation with rising case counts, and as in-school learning is set to resume in September, the government has an option that isn't either shutting businesses down or ramping up health restrictions," he said.
Ring agrees, saying a fourth lockdown must be avoided.
"We know that our economy cannot really withstand the severity of a fourth lockdown," he said. "That's why it's so important to look at vaccinations as the key element to us moving forward."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.