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Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli and his staff can attest the last two weeks of business have necessitated a coordinated team effort to meet the demand from constituents for printed and laminated vaccine certificates.
Heading into the Thanksgiving long weekend, Fedeli tells BayToday the response has exceeded expectations as his Main Street East constituency office has printed and laminated roughly 3,000 of the certificates, now needed to enter some non-essential settings in Ontario.
Since September 22, proof of vaccination has been required in certain settings, including, but not limited to, indoor dining in restaurants, indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, indoor areas of concert venues, theatres and cinemas, indoor areas of meeting and event spaces, and indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments.
The province plans to launch a QR code system, October 22, to confirm proof of vaccination records but Fedeli says he knows some local residents either don't own smartphones capable of scanning the QR code or aren't comfortable using them and prefer a hard copy.
"That's what we're here for," says Fedeli, "our constituents come first."
Fedeli's office has been offering the service for constituents since October 1. No appointment is necessary. The office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Bring your green OHIP health card. If you have a red and white health card, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 for assistance.
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has also offered to print vaccine certificates for residents without access to the internet or a printer.
