Timmins police will focus on educating people about vaccine passports before laying charges
As the Province of Ontario gets ready to roll out its vaccine passport, police agencies throughout the province will be on standby to enforce the rules.
Beginning Sept. 22, proof of vaccination status will be required to eat indoors at restaurants and bars, to work out in gyms, go to movie theatres and other event spaces.
The province said a variety of officials will be expected to enforce the use of the passports, including police, special constables, First Nation constables, bylaw officers and public health inspectors.
The province said enforcement will be gradual, much like it has been throughout the pandemic.
Timmins Police Service officials said so far throughout the pandemic, it's been more effective to educate people first before any enforcement takes place.
"We have laid a number of charges, but those were last resort," said Marc Depatie, communications coordinator for Timmins Police Service. "Most typically, our officers tend to try and educate first, make people aware of the fact there is a law in place and they are in fact in breach and if we gain compliance, then the matter is resolved. If we don’t then a more stern enforcement approach has to be adopted.”
He added the Timmins Police Service has had some calls to 911 about people breaking COVID regulations -- customers not wearing masks, disobeying physical distancing rules and refusing to leave premises.
And, he added, some charges have been laid.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.