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.
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.
Calls continue for a major shakeup at Hockey Canada following recent revelations around how the organization handled past claims of sexual assault.
Organizers of the papal visit say the Vatican has 'clarified' part of Pope Francis's apology to residential school survivors, noting an error occurred during translation.
Tim Hortons has reached a proposed settlement in multiple class action lawsuits alleging the restaurant's mobile app violated customer privacy, which would see the restaurant offer a free coffee and doughnut to affected users.
Across the country, police and fraud-prevention experts are warning Canadians to be vigilant with reports of 'grandparent scams' targeting seniors on the rise.
The Supreme Court of Canada says sex with a condom is a different physical act than sex without one, and that the use of a condom can be a condition of consent under sexual assault law.
A 27-year-old doctor who died after collapsing during a triathlon this week is being remembered as a vivacious and outgoing person with a true passion for medicine.
An obstetrician-gynecologist in Montreal had his licence revoked after he allegedly made sexually inappropriate comments to a patient in labour.
Experts say that while there's no use in postponing vacations indefinitely in the hopes of COVID-19 being eradicated, there are ways to mitigate risks while travelling, from masking indoors to filling the itinerary with more outdoor activities.
A study conducted by the University of East Anglia found face shields are not able to provide high levels of protection against COVID-19.
Several Ontario hospitals were reducing service in certain areas over the long weekend due to staff shortages as an Ontario nurses union called on the province to tackle what it called an alarming situation.
A couple from New Zealand who spent more than $4,500 to rent an Airbnb in Toronto were evicted by police in the middle of the night after a man showed up claiming the unit was his.
A 27-year-old doctor who died after collapsing during a triathlon this week is being remembered as a vivacious and outgoing person with a true passion for medicine.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston shrugged off allegations of political patronage and nepotism from opposition leaders on Friday.
As many Nova Scotians prepare for a long weekend, Nova Scotia Health is warning residents they will likely face long wait times for ambulances and in hospital emergency rooms if they need medical care.
The Nova Scotia-Prince Edward Island ferry remains out of commission after a fire in its engine room last week, and will be for at least the rest of the summer season, but the federal government is looking at options to replace it.
A 56-year-old St. Thomas man has been arrested and charged for several drug and weapons-related offences.
London may soon consider broadening its prohibition of graphic anti-abortion images to include their public display on signs, banners and billboards.
It’s going to be another long weekend, with closed emergency rooms across Midwestern Ontario.
Raising Monarch butterflies is not only a hobby for Elaine Tremblay, it's also a mission.
Timmins Police officials are seeing an increase in people using their cellphones while driving and they said it's especially noticeable at traffic lights.
Members of Serpent River First Nation are celebrating the return of a piece of waterfront land on Elliot Lake, the community's chief told CTV News in an online interview. 'It's a great first step,' said Brent Bissaillion, the First Nation's ogimaa -- the Ojibwe word for elected chief.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the city of Calgary.
He's been in Calgary for a decade and has had a citizenship application in for three years, but one local teen is still waiting to officially become a Canadian.
As the heat wave continues to grip much of Alberta, including Calgary, it’s been a challenge for many people to not only stay cool outdoors but inside as well, especially for those without an air conditioner.
Police are looking for a 26-year-old man who was last seen falling off his Seadoo into the Grand River Thursday night, according to Ontario Provincial Police with the Brant County Detachment.
With gas prices hitting record highs this summer, many people are curious to know if purchasing an electric vehicle will benefit them in the long run.
The current configuration of the temporary bike lane through Stanley Park makes it impossible to stage major events in the park, said a Vancouver event organizer.
After a cooler-than-usual spring, some British Columbians relished in a July heat wave, but after several days of record-breaking temperatures, they may be asking how much more of this we're in store for.
For the first time since 2019, the Vancouver Pride Parade will weave through the streets of the West End on Sunday afternoon beginning at noon, and the Pride festival will return to Sunset Beach.
Alberta will begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to Albertans ages six months to five years starting on Aug. 2, the province announced Friday.
Organizers of the papal visit say the Vatican has 'clarified' part of Pope Francis's apology to residential school survivors, noting an error occurred during translation.
The first woman appointed as chief justice of a province in Canada who has served 30 years on the bench in Alberta is retiring Saturday.
Aimee Omstead and George Egglezos have been married for 20 years, and their bond is now stronger than ever.
Tyler Vassell, 31, previously pleaded guilty to a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The Civic Holiday weekend is here and there is no shortage of things to see and experience in Windsor-Essex.
As Pope Francis wraps up the final leg of his weeklong Canadian visit, there are mixed emotions among residential school survivors who are reflecting on the Pontiff’s apology and his time in the country.
A Regina woman is facing several charges after more than 6.4 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized during a drug trafficking investigation.
Here are the proposed changes to Saskatchewan's constituency borders ahead of the next provincial election.
The Merry Dairy in Ottawa says it halted its wholesale operations on Thursday following a visit by an officer from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Ontario Provincial Police launched their annual "Move Over" public safety campaign, as thousands of drivers hit the road for a long-weekend destination.
A tornado that struck an area north of Belleville, Ont. last weekend was on the ground for more than 45 minutes, covering an area of 55.8 kilometres, according to researchers.
A Saskatoon man is warning pet owners after his dog was attacked at a popular park.
A Prince Albert man now faces more than two dozen charges in connection to child luring investigation.
About 30 Saskatoon students between the ages of nine and 14 learned the ins and outs of running a business at the first Edwards Entrepreneurship Exploration camp at the University of Saskatchewan.
© 2022 All rights reserved. Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy