August 18, 2021
The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON, K1A OA2
The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building, Queen's Park
Toronto, ON, M7A 1A1
The Honourable Christine Elliott
Ministry of Health
5th Floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON, M7A 2J3
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Ford and Minister Elliott:
The COVID-19 crisis has been an unprecedented time of ongoing learning and public education, swift decision-making and emergency response. My congratulations on your respective leadership that has brought us this far in battling the pandemic.
As a leader of local government, I can tell you that my municipality has risen to the challenges put upon us and our efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of our community is ongoing. As such, I am writing to add my voice to the growing number of those who are calling for a ‘vaccination passport’.
My letter to you aligns with the appeals made by the Ontario Medical Association, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce, Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas and Big City Mayors who have all requested the Province of Ontario call for a vaccine certificate system similar to Manitoba and Quebec to avoid another lockdown.
As the Chair of Halton Hills’ Economic Support and Recovery Task Force, I recognize the need to support businesses and to this end, we have been rolling out our Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan to help local businesses stay open amidst trying times. Businesses in my community like restaurants, hair salons, gyms, etc. cannot afford to go into another lockdown. They are very concerned that a fourth lockdown may follow this current fourth wave.
I believe that a vaccination passport would provide some certainty and assurance for business owners and consumers; that this next step in managing the impacts of the world-wide pandemic is a necessary one as we continue to battle new and emerging virus variants. A vaccination passport is the next tool in our arsenal to support business recovery and no doubt, would be overwhelmingly welcomed by the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors.
Sincerely,
Rick Bonnette
Mayor, Town of Halton Hills
C.
Michael Chong, MP, Wellington-Halton Hills
Ted Arnott, MPP, Wellington-Halton Hills
Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair
Halton Hills Town Council
Chris Mills, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Acton BIA
Downtown Georgetown BIA
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