[2] As Canada was emerging from the fourth wave in mid-August—which had been dominated by the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant,[3] governments at different levels were considering the use of vaccine mandates.
[8][9][10][11] With healthcare capacity spread "too thin" during the "rising fifth wave driven by the Omicron variant" in early January 2022, federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos suggested that provinces implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.
In early 2022, protests against mandates increasingly involved anti-government sentiments, with a blockade and occupation of Parliament Hill occurring in late January and lasting for nearly a month.
"[22] The CPHO said that in the coming weeks "all existing public health policies"—including "provincial vaccine passports"— would have to be "revisited", to avoid being in a "crisis mode" all the time and to address future waves in a "longer-term" "more sustainable way" that will include "capacity building.
[22] On August 13, 2021, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced that the federal government plans to mandate the vaccination of all federal public servants, employees in federally-regulated transport industries, and passengers of commercial air travel, interprovincial rail service, and large marine vessels with overnight accommodations (e.g. cruise ships).
[13] A January 27, 2022 CTV News explainer provided an update on current "vaccine mandates and public health restrictions" across Canada.
[25] In order to be "eligible for the exemption from quarantine and post-arrival testing requirements", travellers need to submit their proof of vaccination" which includes the option of uploading it to ArriveCAN.
[26] As of November 30, 2021, Canadians who wish to travel domestically on airplanes, cruise ships or by VIA Rail trains have been required to prove they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 [13] In October 2021, new United States Department of Homeland Security regulations were released regarding cross-border travel between the Canada and the United States based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The announcement clarified that unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign national truck drivers would be prohibited from entering Canada after that date.
According to the Canadian Press and CBC, as of January 22, the mandates would impact an estimated 26,000 unvaccinated truckers of the 160,000 truck drivers in both the United States and Canada who regularly cross the border.
[31] By 2022, all provinces and territories had "vaccine passports with the QR code that meets the recommended Canadian standard for domestic and international travel".
[12] In May 2021, Premier Kenney promised Albertans the "best summer ever" and on June 18, he announced the government's plans to reopen with a prediction that the pandemic was ending.
[33] On July 28 Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health, Deena Hinshaw, announced sweeping changes during her COVID-19 pandemic update.
[34] Hinshaw explained that the increased uptake of vaccinations was one of the factors influencing her decision to gradual remove all restrictions; to decrease testing; and shorten the quarantine period.
"[35] In mid-September facing criticism on all sides, Premier Kenney introduced his Restrictions Exemption Program (REP)—described by many as a vaccine passport—along with "sweeping new measures to combat the COVID-19 surge.
"[36] If businesses require their adult patrons to "show proof of vaccination or recent negative test result", they can forego certain other restrictions.
[56] As early as April 2021, nationwide public colleges and universities,[8] private companies,[9][10] and for-profit long-term care facilities[11] began to consider vaccine mandates.
After protesters had demonstrated for nineteen days on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Canada's capital, the three levels of government—municipal, provincial, and national—had invoked three states of emergency for the city.