Justin Trudeau Says He Hopes Doug Ford 'Steps Up' To Introduce Vaccination Certificates

The Liberal leader applauded B.C. and Quebec for putting vaccination requirements in place.

Senior Writer

It seems the gloves are off now that Justin Trudeau shaded Doug Ford for not introducing vaccination certificates in Ontario.

After announcing a new campaign promise to create a $1 billion COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Fund, Trudeau took aim at Ford for what his provincial government isn't doing while applauding other leaders who have put those requirements in place.

"Already Premier Horgan and Premier Legault have stepped up and I certainly hope that here in Ontario Premier Ford steps up as well. It's time for him to listen to public health officials and leaders," he said. "We'll be ready when he does."

Both Quebec and B.C. will launch vaccine passports in September.

If re-elected, the fund would see the Liberal government pay for the development and roll-out of vaccination certificates in provinces and territories if a premier mandates everyone in non-essential locations be fully vaccinated and show proof.

"A vaccine mandate for non-essential businesses is a good idea. It keeps people safe, it encourages everyone to do the right thing, it keeps our businesses open and it keeps our economy rebuilding," Trudeau said.

In a statement to Narcity responding to Trudeau's comment, Ford's office said that Ontario has "the most cautious reopening plan" and "the most comprehensive, far-ranging mandatory vaccination policies for high-risk settings in the country."

Recently, it was revealed that some on their own if the Ontario government won't.

  • Senior Writer

    Lisa Belmonte (she/her) is a Senior Writer with Narcity Media. After graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), she joined the Narcity team. Lisa covers news and notices from across the country from a Canada-wide perspective. Her early coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic earned Narcity its first-ever national journalism award nomination.

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