Local business leaders are asking the province to release a digital QR code app immediately and provide financial assistance to help small businesses manage proof of vaccination requirements at places like gyms, sports facilities and dine-in restaurants starting today.
As of Wednesday, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with identification that contains their name and birth date to access certain public settings and facilities. This approach, the province says, focuses on higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn.
"While we support the Ontario government in its efforts to make businesses and other establishments safe for employees, customers and clients, we are asking that businesses be allowed to secure the QR app well in advance of Oct. 22 to ensure a safe, efficient and cost-effective transition to the new system," reads a statement going out to all chamber members from the presidents and CEOs of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
Greg Durocher and Ian McLean are asking their members to sign and deliver prepared letters to a local MPs and Premier Doug Ford.
It reads: "As a small business owner, I am writing to express my concerns with the implementation of vaccine certificates and QR codes.
"While we support vaccine verification and other measures to protect our employees, customers and clients, the time frame for this new system presents a series of challenges for small and medium business owners across all provincial economic sectors.
"Previous communication material from your government indicates that an enhanced vaccine certificate, as well as a verification app to allow businesses to read the QR code, will be available by Oct. 22.
"In order to significantly assist our business and other operations experiencing these same challenges, we ask that your government immediately release this app well in advance of the Oct. 22 target implementation date. An efficient transition to this new verification system will provide a higher level of protection for businesses and their customers.
We also ask that your government consider financial assistance to small business required to implement vaccine verification and also offset additional expenses incurred with extended stay-at-home orders and lockdowns."
