The return of live events to Toronto’s stages and venues has come with a condition, namely proof of double vaccination status.
That, in turn, seems to have produced a new industry in town: producing fake vaccine passports. According to a CityNews report, fans are using fake passports to get into Raptors and Leafs games.
How is it being done? The Ontario government has issued new QR coded passports, embedded with your health insurance card number. However, businesses are still mandated to accept a printed paper copy of the vaccine receipt, which can be altered relatively easily.
Sports fans aren’t alone in their attempts to skirt the law.
- An Ontario man was recently charged with fraud after presenting forged vaccine documentation at his workplace.
- Ottawa police recently arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly selling fake vaccine documents in both Ontario and Quebec. Police are now trying to find who he sold them to.
At a press conference, Premier Doug Ford responded to the recent reports.
He noted that, “you can duplicate or fraudulently print anything you want.” He said his government is relying on business owners to spot the fakes. “If someone wants to find loopholes or break the law, they’re going to find it,” Ford said.
He also added that he believes the “vast majority” of Ontario’s citizens are playing by the COVID rulebook.
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