2022-05-10T22:31:38-04:00Oct 25, 2021|

All you need to know about provincial COVID-19 vaccine passports in Canada

Last updated: February 23, 2022

In response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, most provinces and territories in Canada had announced that they will require individuals to show proof of vaccination in order to take part in non-essential activities.

Many provinces initiated vaccination passport systems with the intention of keeping Canadians safe and helping to reopen the economy. As the situation continues to improve in 2022, many provinces have started rolling back their vaccine passports. As a newcomer to Canada, it’s important you understand what vaccine passport requirements are in place in your province or territory. That way, you can continue to enjoy non-essential services while keeping yourself and those around you safe. 

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Want to know more about COVID-19 has affected entering Canada?
See How changes to Canada’s border restrictions affect new arrivals to learn more about COVID-19 vaccine and quarantine requirements

What is a vaccine passport?

A vaccine passport is a secure proof of vaccination document for non-essential services within a certain province or territory in Canada. Many provinces in Canada have created their own version of vaccine passports in the form of a QR code or printed confirmation. This vaccine passport allows individuals living in the province to engage in recreational activities and visit non-essential places, such as a restaurant, gym, or movie theatre. 

Proof of vaccination are the vaccine records or receipts issued by your jurisdiction after receiving an approved COVID-19 vaccine. In most provinces, the vaccine passport is different from the proof of vaccination you receive after getting your COVID-19 vaccine. However, some provinces are still accepting original vaccine records along with valid identification as proof of vaccination.

What are the vaccine passport requirements for Canadian provinces and territories?

Most provinces and territories have now implemented a vaccine passport for all residents and visitors. Here is an overview of each province or territory.

Province or territory Where is a vaccine passport needed?
Ontario

(Ontario’s vaccine passport system will end on March 1, 2022)

  • Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios)
  • Nightclubs, including outdoors
  • Meeting and event spaces
  • Sports and fitness facilities, such as gyms, yoga studios, and recreational facilities 
  • Sporting events, casinos, bingo halls, and gaming establishments
  • Concerts, music festivals, theatres and movie theatres
  • Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs
  • Racing venues.
British Columbia (B.C.)
  • Restaurants and cafes with table service, including indoor and patio
  • Pubs, bars and lounges
  • Nightclubs, movie theatres, casinos, and video lottery terminal lounges
  • Gyms and dance studios or businesses offering fitness/exercise classes
  • Indoor events with more than 50 people.
Quebec

(Quebec vaccine passport system will be scrapped on March 14, 2022)

  • Bars and restaurants, including indoors and patio, fast food restaurants, shopping mall food courts and food stores 
  • Nightclubs, microbreweries, distilleries 
  • Health and social services, including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private seniors’ residences
  • Team sports, water-based sports with two or more people, combat sports, car rallies, lifesaving sports, golf tournaments, outdoor sporting events exceeding 500 people, indoor sports events exceeding 250 people  
  • Sporting events, theatre events including outdoors, agricultural fairs, festivals, walks or marathons, walking tours
  • Theatres, stadiums, arenas, auditoriums, movie theatres, indoor sports, performance venues
  • Amusement parks, recreation centres, amusement centres, entertainment venues
  • Zoos, aquarium, Biodôme, planetariums, insectariums, botanical gardens, water parks
  • Casinos, bingo halls and other gambling halls
  • Tourist and recreational cruises, excluding ferry service
  • Conventions and conferences.
Alberta

(Alberta’s vaccine passport system was scrapped on February 9, 2022)

  • Restaurants and nightclubs
  • Movie theatres
  • Museums, art galleries
  • Entertainment and recreation centres 
  • Conferences, meeting spaces, halls, and rented spaces 
  • Casinos and bingo halls.
Manitoba

(Manitoba’s vaccine passport system comes to an end on March 1, 2022)

  • Restaurants, including indoor and patio
  • Movie theatres, indoor theatre, dance and symphony events
  • Nightclubs, pubs, and all other licensed premises
  • Casinos, bingo halls, and video lottery terminal lounges
  • Fitness centres, gyms, indoor sporting and recreational facilities (excluding youth sports)
  • Organized indoor group recreational classes and activities
  • Indoor recreational businesses.
New Brunswick
  • Dining or drinking at restaurants, pubs and bars, both indoor and patio
  • Movie theatres, amusement centres, bowling alleys, nightclubs, pool halls, and casinos
  • Gyms, indoor pools and indoor recreation facilities, indoor group sports and exercise facilities
  • Organized indoor gatherings, including weddings, funerals, parties (excluding private residences), conferences, and workshops 
  • Visiting a long-term care facility.
Newfoundland and Labrador

(NL’s vaccine passport system will come to an end on March 14, 2022)

  • Restaurants, cafes, and fast food restaurants, including indoor and patio
  • Bars, pubs, wineries, distilleries, breweries, including indoor and patio
  • Casinos and gaming establishments, including indoor and patio
  • Fitness studios, gyms, yoga studios, recreation facilities, pools
  • Indoor and outdoor sports practices
  • Businesses and organizations offering indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure activities 
  • Theatres, concert venues, movie theatres, arts and culture events, including indoor and outdoor festivals
  • Indoor and outdoor sports games and events
  • Indoor and outdoor extracurricular school activities, including sports
  • Museums, art galleries, public library programs
  • Bus, boat, and walking tours
  • Indoor and outdoor events, references, and training hosted by a business or organization
  • Indoor and outdoor wedding and funeral ceremonies hosted by a business or organization
  • Community meetings in rental spaces 
  • Training hosted by a business or organization, or any training that uses a rental space.
Northwest Territories (NWT)
  • Non-essential businesses and organizations, including bars and restaurants
  • Indoor gatherings of up to 100 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 200 people.
Nova Scotia

(Nova Scotia’s vaccine passport system will end on February 28, 2022)

  • Restaurants, cafes, and fast food restaurants, including indoor and patio
  • Bars, wineries, pubs, distilleries and breweries with tasting rooms, including indoor and patio
  • Casinos and gambling establishments
  • Fitness establishments, including gyms, yoga studios, sports and recreation facilities, and pools
  • Businesses and organizations offering indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure activities
  • Indoor and outdoor festivals, special events, and arts and culture events, including theatre, concert and movie theatres
  • Indoor and outdoor sports practices, games, and competitions
  • Indoor and outdoor extracurricular school-based activities, including sports
  • Bus, boat and walking tours
  • Museums, art galleries, and public library programs
  • Indoor and outdoor social events, activities, conferences, training, and receptions hosted by a business or organization
  • Indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies and funerals hosted by a business or organization 
  • Community meetings in rental spaces
  • Training hosted by a business or organization using a rental space.
Prince Edward Island (PEI)

(PEI vaccine passport system will be scrapped on February 28, 2022)

  • Restaurants and cafes, including indoor and patio
  • Bars, liquor tasting rooms, wineries, breweries, and distilleries
  • Sporting events, adult sports teams, recreational activities
  • Indoor gyms, dance studies, swimming pools, and skating rinks
  • Concerts, theatre, music and arts events, movie theatres
  • Arcades, bowling alleys, and casinos
  • Weddings and funeral receptions and wakes
  • Outdoor facilities for organized events or gatherings
  • Conferences, trade fairs, and workshops
  • Group activity classes.
Saskatchewan

(Saskatchewan’s vaccine passport system ended on February 14, 2022)

  • Indoor dining at restaurants
  • Nightclubs, bars, pubs, and other licensed establishments
  • Event and entertainment venues, including conference centres, casinos, movie theatres, concert venues, music venues, museums, and indoor sporting events
  • Indoor fitness centres and gyms.

Currently, the Canadian territories of Nunavut and Yukon do not have a vaccine passport program. Vaccine passports have been launched on a voluntary basis in the third territory, the Northwest Territories.

Am I eligible for a vaccine passport if I received my COVID-19 vaccines outside the province or country?

​​The following COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for use by Health Canada:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
  • Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
  • AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
  • Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
  • Bharat Biotech/Covaxin (BBV152 A, B, C)
  • Sinopharm (Beijing) BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells)
  • Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

Individuals vaccinated with one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines outside of Canada may be eligible for a vaccination passport in the province or territory they are residing in. Some provinces have also clearly defined rules for getting a vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated abroad with a vaccine that’s not approved in Canada. Here is breakdown of how you can get your earlier doses registered with the government or qualify for a vaccine passport in each province or territory:

How to get an Ontario vaccine certificate if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you’ve received a partial or complete COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Ontario or Canada, you’ll need to contact your local public health unit to get your COVID-19 immunization record documented before receiving any additional doses or getting vaccination receipts. You will need to submit the proof of vaccination you received at the time of immunization.

If you’ve previously received one or two doses of a vaccine that’s not approved by Health Canada, you will be asked to take a third dose of an approved mRNA vaccine after a minimum 28 day gap following your previous COVID-19 vaccination.

How to get a B.C. Vaccine Card if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you received one or both doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine in another province or country, you will need to register with the Get Vaccinated provincial registration system and submit proof of an official immunization record. This will then be entered into the Provincial Immunization Registry. The process typically takes between 10 to 12 days.

If you received one or two doses of a vaccine that is not approved for use in Canada, you’ll not be eligible for a B.C. vaccine passport until you receive a third dose of an approved vaccine.

How to get a Quebec vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you’re a Quebec resident who received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine outside of the province or Canada, you’ll need to sign up at the Quebec Vaccination Registry or on ClicSanté to get the information about administered doses updated. You can also book an appointment to receive another vaccine dose through this portal.

Note: Quebec accepts all vaccine types approved by the World Health Organization for the purpose of issuing a vaccine passport.

How to get an Alberta vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you were partially or fully vaccinated outside of Alberta, you’ll need to update your health records by submitting your out-of-province/country immunization records online through ahs.ca/VaccineRegistry.

If the information you provide is not enough to validate your record, you’ll receive a call from an AHS Public Health team member for more information. In case your record cannot be validated, you will need to get re-vaccinated in Alberta. 

How to get a Manitoba Immunization Card if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you got your COVID-19 vaccine, partial or full, outside of Manitoba, you’ll need to submit the vaccination record issued by that province or country through the government’s online form. Alternatively, you can update your information by calling 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222). Once your information has been updated, you can request your immunization card online.

If you’ve received one or two doses of a vaccine that is not approved by Health Canada but approved by the World Health Organization, you can receive a dose of mRNA vaccine in Manitoba to be considered fully immunized.

If you have received three doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you are also considered fully immunized. At that point, you can then request your Manitoba immunization card by calling 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222).

How to get a New Brunswick vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccination approved in Canada outside the province or country, you can show your proof of vaccination from the jurisdiction where you received the vaccine. 

If you received a COVID-19 vaccination not approved in Canada, contact your nearest public health location in the province for more information. 

How to get a NLVaxPass if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you don’t have a Newfoundland and Labrador MCP card, your vaccination record from your province or home country along with identification counts as proof of vaccination. However, it should clearly indicate that you’re fully vaccinated with a vaccine that’s approved by Health Canada. 

If you received a vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you are also considered fully vaccinated if you received one or two doses of a non-Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine, followed by one dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), and at least two weeks has passed since the mRNA dose.

If you have a valid MCP card, you can get your out-of-province vaccinations added to your Electronic Health Record in Newfoundland and Labrador.

How to get a Nova Scotia vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

Permanent residents who’ve received one or both doses of COVID-19 vaccine outside Nova Scotia can get their out-of-province vaccinations included on their Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination. If you’re not a permanent resident of Nova Scotia, you can use your vaccination record from your home province, territory or country as proof of vaccination.

If you received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that’s not approved by Health Canada and the World Health Organization, you’re not considered fully vaccinated and need two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna). 

Anyone who received 1 dose of Janssen/Johnson & Johnson can receive 1 one additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to be optimally protected.

How to get a PEI Vax Pass if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you’re a PEI resident who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of PEI, you’ll need to submit your proof of vaccination from another province or country online, so it can be added to your PEI Immunization Record. If you don’t have a PEI Health Card or cannot submit your out-of-province vaccination proof online, you can visit your local PEI Public Health Nursing Office to get your information updated. Once your information has been updated, you can access your vaccination record through the COVID-19 Immunization Record portal.  

If you are not a PEI resident, you’ll need to provide a government-issued vaccination record from the province/territory/country where you were vaccinated. 

If you are a PEI resident and received one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you will be considered fully immunized 14 days after receiving one dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech ComirnatyTM or Moderna SpikevaxTM).

You will also be considered fully immunized 14 days after receiving three doses of any non-Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information on getting a third dose of an mRNA vaccine in PEI, visit the Get The Vaccine page or call the PEI Immunization Program toll-free 1-844-975-3303.

How to get a Saskatchewan vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province

If you are a Saskatchewan resident who has received one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine outside the province, you’ll need to update your COVID-19 Immunization Record through the MySaskHealthRecord portal

How to get a vaccine passport in Ontario

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination was rolled out in Ontario on September 22, 2021 for individuals who are fully vaccinated. Individuals can also download an enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code from the provincial vaccine portal. Each enhanced vaccine certificate contains a SMART Health Card QR code which businesses can easily scan at the door.

To log in to the provincial vaccine portal, you’ll need:

  • Photo OHIP card
  • Date of birth
  • Postcode associated with health card

Alternatively, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have an enhanced vaccine certificate emailed or mailed to you. 

How the Ontario vaccine certificate works

Save the electronic version of your vaccine certificate with a QR code to your phone or print a paper copy. Businesses must accept both electronic and paper versions and will scan the QR code using a Verify Ontario app. Individuals also need to show a piece of ID with their name and date of birth, along with their proof of vaccination. 

Exemptions for vaccine passports in Ontario

Exemptions in Ontario include:

  • Children under age 12
  • Youth under age 18 entering the indoor premises for organized sport
  • Entering a business temporarily
  • Entering a building for health and safety purposes 
  • Medical reasons, such as severe allergies, anaphylaxis, myocarditis or pericarditis
  • Participation in a COVID-19 clinical trial

Penalties and fines in Ontario

Any individual who does not comply with the COVID-19 screening or presents fraudulent documents can be fined $750 CAD or more and businesses can be fined $1,000 CAD and up. 

Will Ontario accept vaccine passports from other provinces?

Visitors to Ontario can present vaccine receipts from jurisdictions outside the province, as long as the vaccine doses were one of Health Canada’s approved vaccines and they meet Ontario’s definition of fully vaccinated.

How to get a vaccine passport in British Columbia 

The BC Vaccine Card came into effect in the province on September 13, 2021. To get your BC Vaccine Card, you’ll need to provide your:

  • Date of birth
  • Personal Health Number (PHN)
  • Date of first or second COVID-19 vaccine

Log on to Health Gateway and fill out your personal information. Once you have completed the online form, save a digital copy or a screenshot of your QR code or print a paper copy.

Individuals who don’t have access to a smartphone, computer, or printer can:

  • Ask a family member or friend to help
  • Print their card at the library
  • Order a copy by phone by calling 1-833-838-2323
  • Print a copy at a Service BC office

How the BC Vaccine Card works

Businesses can download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App to verify an individual’s BC Vaccine Card. Anyone aged 19 + will also be required to show valid government-issued photo ID to verify their identity. 

Exemptions for vaccine passports in B.C.

Children aged under 12 years old are exempt. However, according to the provincial health officer, there will be no medical or religious exemptions for any other individuals while the BC Vaccine Card remains in effect. 

Penalties and fines 

Any business or organization that doesn’t comply with the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) order may be issued a violation ticket of $230 CAD or $575 CAD for individuals and owners or event organizations could be subject to a $2,300 CAD violation ticket. 

Will B.C. accept vaccine passports from other provinces?

Anyone travelling to B.C. from another Canadian province or territory can show their officially recognized vaccine record together with a piece of valid government photo ID.

How to get a vaccine passport in Quebec

Quebec rolled out its QR code vaccine passport on September 1, 2021. Individuals can get their vaccine passport by visiting the province’s self-service portal and download their digital proof of vaccination. You’ll need to provide:

  • First name and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Health insurance number
  • Date of your first COVID-19 vaccination
  • Brand name of your first COVID-19 vaccine

From there, you’ll be sent a digital proof of vaccination in a PDF format by email or text message. Instructions on how to download the vaccine passport will be provided in the message or you can visit Procedure for downloading digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination for more information. If you don’t have an email or are having difficulty obtaining your vaccine passport, telephone 1 877 644-4545.

How the Quebec vaccine passport works

Individuals aged 13 and older are required to show their vaccine passports for non-essential activities. The QR code can be shown in the following formats:

The QR code will be scanned with an app called VaxiCode Verif and will show a person’s name in green if they are vaccinated and in red if they are not. Photo ID is also required for anyone aged 16 and older. For individuals 75 and older, non-photo ID will be accepted. 

Exemptions for vaccine passports in Quebec

Exemptions in Quebec include:

  • Children under the age of 13
  • Specific medical exemptions, including allergies to vaccine ingredients 

Penalties and fines in Quebec

Individuals who do not show a valid vaccination passport or violate other public health measures risk fines ranging from $1,000 CAD to $6,000 CAD. Businesses face similar fines for not enforcing vaccine passport rules. 

Will Quebec accept vaccine passports from other countries or provinces?

Visitors to Quebec can show proof of vaccination from another province or country, along with ID that confirms where they live. 

How to get a vaccine passport in Alberta

Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program started on September 20, 2021. Individuals can get their verified COVID-19 vaccine record with their QR code at alberta.ca/CovidRecord. You’ll need to enter your personal information and provincial health care number, then save the QR code to your phone or print it out. Residents are required to show this verified proof of vaccination as a QR code when they enter businesses, restaurants, or attend events.

How the Alberta Restriction Exemption Program works

The QR code only contains information on the person’s name, birthday, and vaccination status, along with a green check mark to verify their vaccination. Businesses are required to use an official AB COVID Records Verifier app to scan your QR code. Individuals must also show valid photo ID to confirm their identity.  

Exemptions for vaccine passports in Alberta

Exemptions for a vaccine passport in Alberta will be exceedingly rare. The College of Physicians and Surgeons in Alberta has developed a guide for physicians on exemptions, which states that “a patient’s or physician’s individual moral objection to vaccination is not considered sufficient clinical rationale for exemption of vaccination against COVID-19.”

Valid exemptions for a vaccine passport in Alberta include:

  • Children aged under 12
  • Severe allergy or anaphylaxis to the vaccine
  • Diagnosis of myocarditis or pericarditis
  • Patients who received an anti-viral monoclonal antibody or plasma to treat COVID-19

Penalties and fines in Alberta

Any individual who violates a public health order in Alberta may be subject to a $2,000 CAD fine and can be prosecuted for up to $100,000 CAD for a first time offense. 

How to get a vaccine passport in Manitoba

The Manitoba Immunization Card with a QR code came into effect on September 3, 2021. To be eligible, individuals must have received all required doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca and wait 14 days after getting their last dose of the vaccine. 

To get a Manitoba Immunization Card, go to the Manitoba provincial portal or call 1-84