Will Canada have a vaccine passport?

Last update: September 3rd, 2021.

Canada is yet to join the many countries and regions across the globe using vaccine passports for international travel. Several international COVID passes are being issued, such as the EU Digital COVID Certificate and IATA Travel Pass.

Canada has released vaccine passports at a provincial level, to ensure safe local reopenings.

“We are working actively with the provinces and territories on a secure, pan-Canadian proof of vaccination for international travel” said Immigration Minister Minister Marco Mendicino.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said that a nationwide Canadian vaccine passport should be available in the early fall.

ArriveCan form: Canada travel restrictions

Borders in Canada are currently open for fully vaccinated Americans. Travelers need to fill out the ArriveCAN form to enter the country.

On August 9th, Canada opened for “American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel”. This information was released in an official statement on July 19th.

Canadian borders will open to all fully vaccinated travelers on September 7th, so long as the epidemiological situation remains stable.

All travelers entering Canada will be required to fill out the ArriveCAN form.

Local vaccine passports in Canada

There is still no national vaccine passport in Canada, but several Canadian provinces have one, or have expressed interest in launching one down the line. Some are choosing to not issue them at all.

Both Saskatchewan and Alberta have confirmed that they will not be implementing vaccine passports provincially, but Saskatchewan will support the national rollout.

“We will continue our work with the federal government on an official federal vaccination certification to support international travel”, said the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health in an official statement.

This approach is similar to that of the vaccine passports in the US, where COVID passes are being released at a state-by-state level for access to non-essential services like bars and restaurants.

Manitoba vaccine passport

Manitoba was the first Canadian province to officially launch a vaccine passport.

Individuals can simply request the Manitoba Digital Immunization Card by registering online at gov.mb.ca or fill in the form to request a physical card.

The card contains a QR code as well as your name and surname and will grant you access to travel, sports and entertainment venues, bars and restaurants, and other private businesses.

Quebec vaccine passport

Quebecers can now use the VaxiCode vaccine passport app to gain access to non-essential services like bars, restaurants, festivals, and gyms.

However, shops will not require the vaccine passport, which will merely “allow access to non-essential activities for properly vaccinated people”, Legault explained.

“Those who made the effort to get their two doses must be able to live a quasi-normal life,” declared Quebec Premier François Legault.

The return to normality, along with the rise in COVID cases, is the rationale behind such a decision, according to local authorities.

Quebec decided on August 5th to implement a COVID-19 vaccine passport system in the province.

Quebec was planning to hold off until the fall to officially release any sort of vaccine passport, and would only do so if the situation worsens. However, as the fourth wave hit the province, Legault was forced to put the plan into motion.

British Colombia ‘Vaccine Card’

The British Colombia government recently confirmed the installment of a vaccine passport in the province.

The BC ‘Vaccine Card‘ will allow holders “to access certain social, recreational, and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province,” explained provincial health officer Bonnie Henry.

Starting September 13th, BC citizens will need to prove the have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for access to non-essential entertainment venues. From October 24th, full vaccination will become the new requirement.

According to the provincial government, the BC ‘Vaccine Card’ will be required for access to the following indoor spaces:

Henry confirmed that the BC government “will not be denying people essential services based on their vaccination status”.

Ontario vaccine passport

Amid significant opposition, the GTHA Mayors and Chairs committee released a statement confirming that Ontario will soon introduce a COVID pass requirement for non-essential services.

Starting September 22nd, Ontario residents will need to show proof of vaccination for access to the following:

The GTHA Mayors and Chairs committee explained that the Ontario vaccine passport aims to “drive up vaccination rates and support school boards as kids go back to school”.

Ontario’s health minister, Christine Elliott, explained that the risk for fraud and possible problems with production is the biggest drawback at this stage.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford fervently expressed his opposition towards these certifications by saying they will create a “split-society” which he will not allow.

Current COVID-19 statistics in Canada

Canada is in the early stages of a fourth wave of COVID-19. By early September, Canada was recording more than 3,000 new cases per day.

Over 26,000 people have died, but the mortality rate has remained low since mass vaccinations began in April.

Almost 70% of Canada’s population is fully vaccinated as of early September. More than 53,500,000 doses have been administered.