Question Period Note: COVID-19 PROOF OF VACCINATION CREDENTIAL SUPPORT TO PROVINCES AND TERRITORIES

All provinces and territories, with the exception of Nunavut, have implemented domestic proof of vaccination requirements within their jurisdiction (e.g. to enter certain non-essential businesses or events).

Key Messages
• Helping Canadians get safely back to the activities and interactions they value most is a priority for the Government of Canada.
• The Government of Canada has been working closely with provinces and territories to support the issuance of a standardized pan Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination credential, providing a secure way to prove one’s vaccination status.
• The standardized COVID-19 proof of vaccination credential helps Canadians access businesses and services in a safe and responsible way, protecting our communities and the economy from the impacts of more restrictive public health measures.
• While standardized COVID-19 proof of vaccination credentials were designed to facilitate travel by allowing a person to demonstrate his or her vaccination status at borders, these credentials can also be used to help implement proof of vaccination requirements in Canada.
• We are committed to supporting provinces and territories that are taking measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 through the implementation of PVC.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada leads the proof of vaccination credential initiative for the Government of Canada with respect to international travel. The Public Health Agency of Canada contributes to the initiative by supporting proof of vaccination credential issuance by provinces and territories, including the development of the standardized COVID-19 proof of vaccination credential. Provinces and territories, and in some cases, Indigenous communities and organizations, are the custodians of public health data – including personal health information of residents.

Canada has developed and published a “pan-Canadian specification” that allows provinces and territories to ensure their proof of vaccination credentials are digitally verifiable, follow a common look-and-feel, have the same data fields, and are generally recognizable as proof of vaccination credentials issued in Canada. This increases the likelihood that the credentials will be accepted as legitimate proof of vaccination across Canada and at international borders, ensuring Canadians and others vaccinated in Canada can access non-essential business, public spaces, and can resume travel internationally.

All provinces and territories are issuing proof of vaccination credentials consistent with the pan-Canadian specification by the end of November.

Proof of vaccination requirements
All provinces and territories, with the exception of Nunavut, have implemented domestic proof of vaccination requirements within their jurisdiction (e.g., to enter certain non-essential businesses or events).

Proof of vaccination credentials are being used to support the implementation of vaccination mandates, which aim to protect those that visit public settings and to control the transmission of COVID-19. Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death, and also effective at preventing infection.

These requirements also appear to increase vaccination rates in the jurisdictions where they are implemented. For example, Alberta saw an approximate increase of 150% in first doses administered compared to the week prior to the proof of vaccination announcement. Saskatchewan reported a 100%-120% increase over the weeks following their announcement. New Brunswick also experienced large increases in daily doses administered in the weeks following their announcement (~50%) and implementation (~150%) largely driven by increases in first doses. An approximate increase of 250% in first doses took place in New Brunswick following their proof of vaccination implementation. Reviews in the U.S. also indicate that vaccine mandates are generally an effective strategy for increasing vaccination coverage among health-care workers. In Québec, a policy for health care workers implemented in some sectors of the health care system requiring vaccination or regular testing has been associated with a rise in vaccine coverage from 50% to 90% for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

Indigenous engagement
In addition to collaboration with provinces and territories, the Government has engaged with Indigenous communities and organizations to ensure proof of vaccination credentials meet the needs of Indigenous people. Since May 2021, a series of engagement sessions have been held with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, including communities that are close to the U.S. border, and those involved in frequent cross-border travel for cultural, work or familial purposes. Engagement will continue as required as the standardized COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination rolls out across the country.
The objectives of this engagement were to ensure that Indigenous partners are part of the conversation at an early stage, to provide informational updates, and hear considerations and potential issues that may arise for these partners. Concerns expressed included: issues of equity, cross-border movement (including Canada-U.S.), accessibility, data sovereignty / vaccination reporting gaps, international recognition of Canada’s mixed-dose schedule and communications.

COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Fund for provinces and territories
A 2021 LPC platform commitment proposed a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Fund to support provinces and territories who implement a requirement for proof of vaccination credentials in their jurisdiction for non-essential businesses and public spaces.

Key Facts
• The Government of Canada has signaled a commitment to launching a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Fund to support provinces and territories who implement a requirement for proof of vaccine credentials in their jurisdiction for non-essential businesses and public spaces.