'We’re being forced': Local business push back against vaccine passport program
“The vaccine passport, putting the onus on small business owners is totally cowardly,” says Tom Lucier, owner of the Phog Lounge.
Lucier says he is not comfortable with verifying the vaccination status of his customers but will follow rules of Ontario’s vaccine certification program because he can’t afford to face the fines.
“It’s not our choice, we’re being forced,” says Lucier. “I’m a small business that has been taking care of myself, my staff and my children for almost twenty years because of this place. I’m not risking that.”
Other business against the vaccine passports are taking a different approach.
Krystle Bernauer, admin of the group Windsor-Essex Businesses Against Discrimination says restaurants like Family Kitchen in Leamington have decided to close their dining rooms and operate take-out only.
“Closing their dining rooms are going to financial setback for them, but they choose to stand for what they believe in,” says Bernauer.
“They believe that we should be able to come in to a facility regardless of what medical procedure we choose.”
Bernauer represents a group of approximately 400 local businesses who are against vaccine mandates.
“These businesses aren’t being selfish in any means,” she says. “They just want to provide services to everyone in the community. They’re not looking to say one choice over the other is better.”
The health unit is planning an enforcement blitz this week with a focus on “education first.” However, failing to comply with the requirements can result in charges under the Reopening Ontario Act.
“If we don’t stand up right now for what’s happening, slowly this is going to remove more rights from different businesses,” says Bernauer. “Our economy is not going to make it through.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.