While some groups may have breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday, many business owners wonder if they've inherited a new set of headaches with Ontario's new proof-of-vaccination certificate.
The Canadian Federation of Business was one of the groups that called for a so-called vaccine passport. But Senior Director of Provincial Affairs Ryan Mallough said Wednesday's announcement by Premier Doug Ford did not include new funding so business owners can train their staff, hire more workers, and acquire technology to read QR codes when those are implemented in October.
He told BlackburnNews.com business owners have mixed feelings about the announcement, especially those who have been hit hardest by the lockdowns, including yoga studios, gyms, and wedding halls.
"A lot of it has to do with the practicalities on the ground," he said. "I think this is a conversation and a debate that's been had at a very high level - whether should we or shouldn't we - and no one has really stopped to look at what implementation and some of the issues would look like."
Among those issues, he said, is how to verify the certificates and how to recognize out-of-province documentation.
Mallough said it is not as easy as simply asking customers for identification, something workers in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol have always done.
"There is an entire training apparatus around serving alcohol in Smart Serve. They teach you things like what to look for in an ID or how to deal with customers," he explained. "That doesn't exist for the employees that are going to have to check vaccine passports."
Many business owners are already anticipating push-back from members of the public who will not have certification.
"Employees need some training on how they're expected to deal with those situations," Mallough added.
Those businesses that operate around the clock will have to make sure they have someone at the door to check those certificates at all hours. That could not only mean hiring someone, it could mean a reduction in service at a time when they are operating at reduced capacity.
"We are looking to the government for some financial support to help with this new role as vaccine screeners as well because in some cases, it is going to require additional staff," said Mallough.
Then there is the QR code, expected to be implemented by the middle of next month. He points to the experience in Quebec, where shops and restaurants have had to swallow the technological cost.
The Ontario government wants to have the certification system up and running by September 22, not leaving a lot of time for businesses to adjust and for government to address the added hardship.
"In a way, it is good that we have three weeks of runway, but at the same time, we only have three weeks of runway to make sure we get this sorted out," lamented Mallough.
