Shoppers entering Quebec's big-box stores now must have COVID-19 vaccine passports
Starting Monday, Quebecers will have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter big-box stores with a surface area of more than 1,500 square metres, except for grocery stores or pharmacies.
The Quebec government says it put this measure in place to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant.
Premier François Legault specified on Jan. 13 that two doses of a vaccine would be required to enter large establishments, though that will eventually change to three doses.
For a sector hard hit by the labour shortage, the Retail Council of Canada said it worries checking passports will yet be another burden on businesses.
“The real challenge today is to manage the public reaction because there will be longer lineups in front of some stores that offer essential products,” explained RCC president Michel Rochette.
Commercial establishments in Quebec that were forced to close their doors during the last three Sundays can now reopen.
That measure was also put in place to try to limit the meteoric rise in hospitalizations related to COVID-19.
Ten days ago, Premier Legault said he hopes to be able to reopen restaurants, theatres, cinemas and more in the coming weeks.
In addition, the Legault government says it is considering imposing a fine on people who refuse to be vaccinated for non-medical reasons, but the premier says there will be a debate in the National Assembly on the issue before any decision is made official.
The bill could be tabled as early as next month.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 24, 2022. With files from CTV News' Ian Wood.
ANALYSIS: NEW VACCINE RESTRICTIONS
by Genevieve Beauchemin
Quebec bureau chief, CTV National News
Quebec has closed more doors to the unvaccinated. The latest target of the province's strategy is big box stores.
As of this morning, Walmart, Costco and Canadian Tire shoppers must flash a vaccine passport to pass through the entrance.
Retailers say this could lead to long lineups as they scramble to reassign workers to check documents in the midst of a labour shortage across the country. Though many shoppers applauded the strategy this morning, saying, “At least you know everyone that goes there is vaccinated, so there is more safety.”
This follows a series of steps by the provincial government, including a looming tax for those without their shots. That followed imposing mandatory vaccine requirement in order to shop in liquor and cannabis stores.
However, the province is also deploying another strategy. The province's deputy minister of health and social services, Lionel Carmant, has been charged with convincing those who have yet to get their shots to roll up their sleeves.
The measures he announced include a phone line for hesitant Quebecers to speak to a professional about vaccines, pop-up clinics in areas where uptake is low and community outreach.
Critics say that has already been done, but Carmant insisted while he is not trying to "reinvent the wheel," he wants to boost ongoing initiatives.
To date, 92 per cent of adults in Quebec have received a first dose, and Carmant says not all the others are anti-vaxxers. Some are fearful, hesitant, and he is hoping to reach out to some among vulnerable and marginalized groups.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Israeli army tells Palestinians to evacuate parts of Gaza's Rafah ahead of an expected assault
The Israeli army ordered some 100,000 Palestinians on Monday to begin evacuating from the southern city of Rafah, signaling that a long-promised ground invasion there could be imminent and further complicating efforts to broker a cease-fire in Gaza.