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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.