Timmins chamber hosts Q&A on enforcing COVID health rules
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce said it's receiving many calls from local businesses asking about the enforcement of vaccine passports and other COVID-19 health regulations.
The chamber held a virtual town hall meeting Thursday afternoon with officials from the Porcupine Health Unit, Timmins Police and the city's bylaw department to answer the many questions people have.
“It’s been a lot of trying to figure out things," said Jonathan St-Pierre, a co-owner of Full Beard Brewing, when it comes to staying on top of all the different rules that change frequently.
St-Pierre is one of dozens of Timmins business owners who tuned into the online question and answer session.
When it comes to businesses not abiding by the regulations, people were told to contact a bylaw officer.
“The only issue is that we have to have evidence," said Sherry Laneville, supervisor of enforcement services for the City of Timmins.
"We get a lot of complaints from people -- they’ll see something posted on Facebook and then are very upset that we’re not out there charging people, but that’s not the case. We can’t charge people just because they’re posting something on Facebook that possibly hasn’t happened yet."
So far, Timmins police said they've received less than a dozen enforcement-related calls.
“When something arises where someone doesn’t want to comply with the business owner ... Timmins police is there to answer those complaints and deal with them appropriately," said Insp. Darren Dinel.
The Porcupine Health Unit can also be called in to investigate a variety of situations. For example, it said businesses are required to verify vaccine proof with every client on every visit.
“The table beside me didn’t see me get carded at the door, then that prompts the visit either by ourselves or bylaw because we’re getting the concerns that this place isn’t following the rules, that kind of thing. Public perception is key," said Suzanne Lajoie, manager of environmental health for the Porcupine Health Unit.
Back at the brewery, St-Pierre said checking vaccination QR codes is quick and easy.
“I feel this is a lot easier," he said. "You don’t give a lot of information that you don’t really want to give sometimes.”
The brewery also asks customers to scan a QR code when they arrive to make the contact tracing process run smoother, as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Saskatchewan households will continue to receive carbon tax rebate: Trudeau
Households in Saskatchewan will continue to receive Canada Carbon Rebate payments, despite the province refusing to remit natural gas levies to the federal government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
'It's just so hard to let it go': Umar Zameer still haunted by death of Toronto police officer
'We hoped for this day, but we were scared that it would not never ever come because it took so long.' That’s what Umar Zameer, the man recently acquitted in the death of a Toronto police officer, told CTV News Toronto in a sit-down interview on Tuesday.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
North Bay doctor accused of assaulting patient, threatening another
A North Bay doctor is facing charges after allegedly assaulting a patient with a weapon and threatening another person at the hospital, police say.