Improved access to vaccine records a positive step; more needed from province for fourth wave response

The following statement is attributable to Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce:

Calgary, September 15, 2021 – “Making it easier for Albertans to access their vaccination records is an important and positive step, as many large companies and institutions take bold action to require proof of vaccination for employees and customers. This measure will reduce barriers to proving vaccination status, aid businesses in enforcing vaccine requirements and keep Albertans safe.

“Surveys have clearly shown Alberta businesses and citizens are firmly in favour of vaccine certification and view this measure as a path forward to reopening safely and permanently. Businesses are struggling with the uncertainty caused by the fourth wave of the pandemic and accompanying restrictions, which have resulted in businesses operating at reduced capacity.

"We will continue to advocate, on behalf of our business community to bring safety, certainty and stability back to Alberta and have urged the province to support businesses by:

1. Mandating proof of vaccination for patrons and employees of non-essential businesses and organizations.
2. Developing a comprehensive guide outlining the rationale behind government restrictions (i.e., tied to case numbers, hospitalizations, vaccination rates), as well as a clear path to removing restrictions. 
3. Providing detailed eligibility requirements, protocol and exemption criteria for government-mandated restrictions, including for the curfew on alcohol service.   
4. Extending and expanding the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) until December 2021.
5. Abating the Alberta Tourism Levy until December 2021.

“It is imperative the Government of Alberta acts in a decisive and timely manner and responds to the serious and increasingly significant concerns of the business community. The Chamber is ready to work with all levels of government in the fight against COVID-19 with effective measures that will lay the foundation for our economic recovery.”

About the Calgary Chamber

The Calgary Chamber is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan business organization. For 130 years, the Chamber has worked to build a business community that nourishes, powers, and inspires the world.

For media inquires, please contact media@calgarychamber.com or at 403-750-0414.