Today, PM Justin Trudeau announced a $1 billion cash bribe to convince reluctant provinces to implement a vaccine passport system.
Citing safety — as per usual — Trudeau claims that the best way to get Canada moving again is with a vaccine passport that citizens are forced to use at every store, gym, restaurant, arena, and office.
“It keeps people safe. It encourages everyone to do the right thing. It keeps our businesses open, and it keeps our economy rebuilding,” he said at a rally in Mississauga, Ontario.
To this end, Trudeau has pledged a $1 billion fund to aid in implementing vaccine passport systems across the country, targeting reluctant provinces, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Atlantic Canada.
So far, B.C., Quebec — and soon Manitoba — have already implemented a vaccine passport system.
Alberta and Ontario have done nothing to prevent proof-of-vaccination requirements, which private enterprises are implementing for either staff and customers.
The federal government is determined to create a vaccine passport system for international travel, allowing for Canadian integration into the global system. At a press conference, the government said that this would be a smartphone app for convenience’s sake.
While Trudeau is pushing full steam ahead with his vaccine passport plan, his opposition, Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole, has come out against outright vaccine mandates.
It was only recently that O’Toole made his stance clear and only after increased pressure from his Conservative base. He has since been hesitant to make additional commitments, such as opposing the passport system altogether.
“We will respect the provinces and their decisions with respect to health measures and balancing the needs of keeping people safe and keeping the economy going. We will support and respect what the provinces decide to do,” O’Toole said.
“We’re in the midst of a fourth wave election because Mr. Trudeau has put his own political interests ahead of fighting the fourth wave together. I will partner with the provinces to fight COVID-19.”
Saying the quiet part out loud, Trudeau also asserted that if re-elected, he will “ensure all Canadians have access to free COVID-19 booster shots and second-generation vaccines as needed, across all provinces and territories,” meaning that there is no end in sight following a second dose. You will need many, many more.
“We can’t afford to stop now, and we certainly can’t afford a party that would roll back our progress. That’s why this election matters so much,” Trudeau said.
