Price of no passport: Alberta could lose big time without a vaccine passport, says TD Bank
Provinces that do not require proof of vaccination to access non-essential services may feel a financial pinch as a result, says one major Canadian bank.
Officials with Toronto-Dominion Bank told BNN Bloomberg that regions that don't require the passports could see a sharper increase in COVID-19 cases than those that do – and that could lead to slowdowns in the business sector and a possible return to health restrictions and mandated closures.
"Provinces who are more proactive in putting in measures that increase confidence in going to restaurants and concerts might do better than provinces who aren’t putting these measures in," said Beata Caranci, the bank's chief economist, during a phone interview this week.
The idea of a return to pandemic-related business closures doesn't sit well with a number of small businesses in Calgary.
Lariah Kirby manages Higher Ground cafe in northwest Calgary.
She says her business is finally picking up after grinding to a halt during the early days of the pandemic.
When it comes to the idea of passports in Alberta, Kirby says she'll leave the rules and regulations to politicians.
But she is sure of one thing – she doesn't want to be forced to shut down again.
"It was a bit rough there for a while," she said. "There was lots of anxiety for a few of my co-workers – what's going to happen, will they still have jobs."
ALBERTA INTRODUCES IMMUNIZATION CARD
So far, the Alberta government has been against vaccine passports for residents, but it does say it will be taking steps to make it easier for Albertans to prove they've had two doses of vaccine.
On Thursday, officials revealed it would create a "conveniently-sized paper card" that possess an individual's COVID-19 immunization record.
Those cards will be available for download by mid-September but provincial officials are adamant that they are not 'passports.'
"We understand how important it is for Albertans to have appropriate access to their immunization records right now," said Chris Bourdeau, spokesperson for Alberta Health, in an email to CTV News.
He encouraged Albertans to review the policies of businesses when it comes to vaccination proof prior to visiting them, but adds the cards will help smooth things over if necessary.
"It is recommended that Albertans use the paper immunizations record they received at the time of their immunization as a back-up."
ONTARIO FALLS IN LINE
So far, only three provinces have revealed their commitment to a vaccine passport.
Manitoba was the first province to introduce the documents while Quebec will implement a system starting Sept. 1. British Columbia will require patrons of certain social and recreational activities to show proof of vaccination starting Sept. 13.
According to the latest news from Ontario, the Ford government will release details of a vaccine passport system sometime next week.
The introduction of a vaccine certificate system would mark a significant reversal for Ford, who previously rejected the idea, saying he doesn't want to create a "split society."
(With files from BNN Bloomberg, CTV Edmonton and CTV Toronto)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.