Quebec has started revoking fake vaccine passports one week after investigation launched
Quebec has already revoked fake vaccine passports as it begins to crack down on fraudsters trying to bypass the public health measure.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) confirmed to CTV News that nine phoney QR codes have been revoked so far since it launched an anti-corruption probe into alleged fraud schemes, and that "sanctions will be applied."
"The computerized tools allowing this revocation are in operation and QR codes have indeed been revoked." a ministry spokesperson said in an email statement on Friday.
A ministerial decree issued earlier this month allows a vaccine passport to be revoked if the government has reasonable grounds to believe it was unlawfully obtained, "notably by means of false or misleading statements."
The ministry said it wouldn’t publicize its data on QR code revocations in order to not interfere with the ongoing investigation.
Quebec’s anti-corruption unit, Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC), launched an investigation on Jan. 19 into "various fraudulent schemes" to make and distribute fake vaccination passports.
The following day, Health Minister Christian Dubé said when restaurants reopen — which is scheduled for Monday — they will be able to flag fake vaccine passports and potentially prevent people caught using them from entering.
Mathieu Galarneau, a UPAC spokesperson, said the agency was investigating a "large number" of reports of fraudulent passports since late fall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.