'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
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
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.
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.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
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.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'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.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.