Ford calls for patience as Ontario's vaccine certificate system kicks in, 463 new COVID-19 cases logged

Premier Doug Ford called for patience Wednesdayas Ontario's vaccine passport system went into effect, whilethe province reported463 new COVID-19 cases.

Ford askedresidents to respect the new verification program and be patient with businesses as they get used to the system.

"I know this may be tough for some, but we owe it to our businesses to do everything we can to avoid lockdowns," he said.

Beginning Wednesday, patrons at dine-in restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, sports facilities and other venues must present a receipt of full vaccination along with government identification. Doctors' notes for medical exemptions will be accepted.

Fines are possible for businesses that don't comply with the checks required by the system, and for patrons who give false information. But businesses, bylaw officers, police forces and the province say enforcement will be gentle at first.

At a news conference Wednesday morning, Ford said he knows this is a "divisive" issue, but said it's necessary to keep the province open in the coming months.

"We can't afford to shut down again or see a sudden surge in cases like we're seeing in other places across the country," Ford said.

"We will only use these certificates for as long as they are needed, and not one day longer."

Vaccine website temporarily down Wednesday morning

EarlyWednesday morning, Ontarians trying to accessthe province's website forproof of COVID-19 vaccine receipts were met with an error message.

The Ministry of Health saidthe portalwas temporarily down in the morning due to "routine maintenance, not due to demand." Weekly maintenance is scheduledovernight on Tuesdaysfrom 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Wednesday, andfrom 11 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore hassaid he believes the system will lead to a boost in vaccinations, particularly among those aged 20 to 39, since that cohort often frequents venues covered by the program.

WATCH | Ford speaks about new vaccine passport system:

Ford says Ontario vaccine passport system divisive but necessary

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"We can't afford to shut down again or see a sudden surge in cases like we're seeing in other places across the country," Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday as the provinces vaccine passport system came into effect.

Since the announcement of the systemon Sept.1,more than 259,000 first doses and more than 338,000 second doses havebeen administered, according to the Ministry of Health.

The ministry said as of Tuesday evening,a total of 66,497 COVID-19 vaccine appointments have been booked since Sept. 1. The figuredoes not include appointments booked through other channels such as pharmacies and local public health units using their ownbookingsystems, it noted.

Businesses have said they feel prepared to implement the system but are uncertain how patrons will respond to it.

James Rilett, Restaurants Canada's vice-president for Central Canada, said restaurants are "as prepared as they can be" but are expecting "some loss of business" and confrontations with some patrons.

Ryan Mallough, senior director of Ontario affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said businesses have a "decent understanding" of what's required but there's "some stress and anxiety around what happens in a moment that doesn't go smoothly."

While venues will have to check paper or digital vaccine receipts with identification at first, the province has said it aims to launch a QR code and verification app for businesses on Oct. 22 to streamline the process.

Municipalities respond to new program

Brampton mayor Patrick Brown told CBC News Network Wednesday that he issupportive of the vaccine certificate program, but is concerned about resource allocation for the cityand is calling on the federal government for support.

"Starting today, we're essentially putting this on the backs of bylaw and police with no resources associated with it so it is going to be difficult," Brown said.

But Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie said her municipality is not anticipating a strain on its bylaw officers with the addition of the vaccine program.

"We aren't seeing those degrees of calls to Mississauga," Crombie said. "Our small businesses welcome this initiative."

"I think it's the right thing to do. My council is strongly behind it," Crombie said. "I think at this time it protects our small businesses and protects everyone."

Ford said Wednesday that the province has supported Brampton and other regions of the province throughout the pandemic, and will continue to do so.

The premier was also asked Wednesday about a report from province's fiscal watchdog that foundOntario did not spend any funds from a new $2.7 billion COVID-19 response program in the first quarter, which promptedcritics to question why the government didn't use the money during the third wave.

Ford said that report was focused on a "snapshot in time.

"Make no mistake about it, we're going to be spending every single penny of what we've received," he said.

Ontario reports 7 more deaths linked to COVID-19

Meanwhile, Ontario reported 463 new cases of COVID-19 and seven more deaths related to the illness on Wednesday.

Of the reportedcases today with a known vaccination status:

• 278, or 60per cent, were found in people who areunvaccinated.

• 21, or 4.5per cent, had a single dose.

• 131, or 28.2 per cent, had two doses.

The seven-day rolling average now stands at 692.

Here are some other key pandemic indicators and figures from theMinistry of Health's daily provincial update:

Tests completed in the last 24 hours: 39,092.

Provincewide test positivity rate: 1.8per cent.

Active cases: 5,851.

Patients in ICU with COVID-related illnesses: 187, with112needinga ventilator to breathe.

Deaths: Seven, pushing the official toll to 9,670.

Vaccinations:21,475,030 doses have been administered to date. Nearly 85.3per cent of Ontarians aged 12 years or older have now received at least one dose of a vaccine, while 79.4per cent have received two doses.