Earlier this month, the Ontario PC government finally confirmed their big secret − they will be introducing a province-wide COVID-19 digital vaccine passport that will result in a two-tier society. This will force organizations and businesses − including gyms, bars, and restaurants − to decline service to Ontarians who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or who refuse to use the government’s digital vaccine passport to prove it).
Remember, just a few short months ago, when Doug Ford claimed to oppose a COVID-19 vaccine passport? While pretending to take that position publicly, behind the scenes, the Ford government was doing the opposite of what Ford was saying publicly – secretly working away at a digital COVID-19 vaccine passport system.
At his September 1st press conference, Ford even made this shocking admission – he was busy over the summer trying to convince Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to implement a national COVID-19 vaccine passport right across Canada!
While the media spun Ford’s recent decision as another flip-flop, the reality is that Ford knew what he was doing all along – lying to Ontarians in the summer by saying one thing publicly, and then almost immediately working in secret behind closed doors to do the opposite.
With this recent announcement, many are inquiring as to how the PC government could implement such overreaching legislation without a vote or debate at Queen’s Park. Unfortunately, because of Bill 195 – the so-called “Reopening Ontario Act,” which I voted against last summer – the provincial government has the power to maintain, change, or implement emergency measures, long past the end of a declared state of “emergency.”
Had Bill 195’s application not been extended by all PC MPPs until December, there would not be a clear mechanism under the law that would give the Ford government the ability to try to micromanage, the way private businesses and organizations, like churches, operate.
As I have said for the last year, the Ford PC government has no intention of re-opening Ontario and getting things back to normal any time soon. Before Bill 195 is set to expire in December, they will look to extend its application one more time.
For three years, there is only one thing that the Ford PC government has been consistent at – they say one thing in public and do the opposite behind closed doors.
Belinda Karahalios
MPP, Cambridge, North Dumfries, North Brant
