2/3 Alberta businesses oppose proof of vaccination mandate

Sep 2, 2021 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The majority of business owners in the province say it should not be mandatory for customers to prove they have been immunized against COVID-19 to access their services.

That is according to a new survey from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), who heard back from nearly 1,500 business owners or operators.

67 per cent of respondents held that opinion and the most common reason why is that immunization is a personal choice.

28 per cent agree that proof of vaccination should be required with the primary rationale being that a coordinated approach to stop the spread of COVID-19 is necessary to support business activity.

Another five per cent were not sure.

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“The intention of this survey was not to weigh in on one side or the other of the vaccine debate,” says ACC President and CEO Ken Kobly. “Rather, we conducted this survey to better understand the challenges and perspectives of business operators—those affected by any decision to mandate proof of vaccination—in this current health environment.”

Only eight per cent said they are already mandating that customers prove they have been immunized or are considering such a rule.

Kobly adds that, in his opinion, if the Alberta Government enacts a proof of vaccination rule, the responsibility for enforcement should not rest with businesses.

Some provinces, including B.C., Quebec, and Ontario, have or will be instituting proof of vaccination laws. The Government of Alberta has announced plans to create vaccine cards but has stated that they will not be mandatory

Full results from the chamber’s survey can be found here.

by David Opinko