Federal Government hopes to release Digital Proof of Vaccination Credential early this Fall
Aug 11, 2021
Ottawa, August 11, 2021 – The Canadian federal government announced today that it hopes to release by early Fall, a digital “proof of vaccination” credential that can be used by Canadians to verify their COVID-19 vaccination status for international travel. The government is working with provincial and territorial governments to develop the federal program.
“We fully support the federal government’s on-going engagement with provincial and territorial authorities to develop a standardized vaccination credential, and encourage all levels of government to work as effectively as possible to meet an early fall release date. Proof of vaccination is going to be a critical component of international travel and recovery of the travel and tourism sector”, said Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada which represents Canada’s largest carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet).
About the National Airlines Council of Canada:
The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system. Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.
Fully vaccinated Americans exempt from quarantine and can enter Canada as of August 9, all other fully vaccinated international travellers as of September 7
Ottawa, July 19, 2021 – Canada’s major airlines look forward to the re-opening of Canada’s border to fully vaccinated international travellers announced today by the federal government, but note that further action will be required to enable recovery of the sector.
“As an industry, we have been calling on the government for months to provide a clear restart plan utilizing science-based measures. Though we have almost lost the summer travel season, today’s announcement provides clarity and timeframes that will allow consumers to plan, and the travel and tourism sector to begin welcoming fully vaccinated foreign travellers once again”, said Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet).
Over the past several weeks carriers have issued updated schedules and have been investing in bringing capacity back on line, to enable a safe restart. The industry will continue to work closely with the federal government over the coming weeks to ensure the successful implementation of the border changes.
The government announced it will also be expanding the number of Canadian airports that can receive international flights, it will also be eliminating the hotel quarantine program for all travellers, as was recommended by Health Canada’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel in May. The government will also no longer require non-vaccinated minors to formally quarantine.
“We are certainly pleased to see firm dates for re-opening of our border for fully vaccinated travellers and elimination of hotel quarantine. But as the new measures take effect, we still firmly believe the government must take further steps and follow the clear recommendations released by Health Canada’s Expert Panel report including lowering quarantine duration for non-vaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers. We will be ready for August and September. But further policy changes will ultimately be needed to support the successful re-start of the industry and the tens of thousands of aviation jobs that have been impacted by the pandemic”, concluded McNaney.
About the National Airlines Council of Canada:
The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system. Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.
Prime Minister indicates Canada could allow fully vaccinated international travellers to enter the country beginning with U.S. in August
Ottawa, July 16, 2021 – Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest air carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet), issued the following statement in response to comments Thursday evening by Prime Minister Trudeau that border restrictions may be amended to allow fully vaccinated travellers from the United States to enter Canada in mid-August, and all other countries by early September:
“We are encouraged by the Prime Minister’s statement as our industry has repeatedly called on the federal government to release an overall restart plan and timeframe, and we are looking to the government to publicly confirm details as soon as possible.
Over the past several weeks, our members have issued updated schedules and have been investing in bringing capacity back on line to enable a quick and safe restart once border policy is changed.
As border measures are adjusted, the government should follow the clear recommendations released in May by Health Canada’s Expert Panel on Testing and Screening including the elimination of hotel quarantine for non-vaccinated travellers. The government should also eliminate the quarantine requirement for non-vaccinated minors.
Though the Prime Minister’s comments provide a general timeframe, we are very close to losing the entire summer travel season. We look forward to urgent engagement with the federal government over the coming days and the release of a detailed action plan.”
About the National Airlines Council of Canada:
The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system. Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.
Changes fall far short of Government’s own Expert Panel Report, Canada’s major airlines call for a comprehensive re-start plan to re-open borders and end to piecemeal announcements
OTTAWA, ON, June 21, 2021 /CNW/ – Canada’s major airlines noted today’s announcement by the federal government that on July 5th at 11:59 pm EDT fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents will be exempt from hotel quarantine and mandatory 14-day quarantine. But the industry repeated its plea that Canada desperately needs a clear and comprehensive re-start plan for international travel, and an end to one-off piecemeal announcements concerning quarantine and border policy changes.
“Easing quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated Canadians and eligible travellers is a step in the right direction, but falls far short of the recommendations provided by Health Canada’s Expert Advisory Panel report released last month. The government continues to refuse to provide Canadians with a clear and comprehensive restart plan outlining how measures from the report will be adopted. While other countries like France have already changed their measures to welcome Canadian travellers, we still have no plan or clear timeframe in Canada,” said Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest airlines (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation, and WestJet).
The Health Canada Advisory Panel report, prepared by experts in epidemiology, virology as well as advanced data analytics, is a data and science-based review that calls for a variety of changes to travel and border measures including elimination of quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers, elimination of hotel quarantine for all travellers, reduction of quarantine for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, and the use of rapid antigen testing. While Canada has reached a vaccination target of 75% / 20%, today’s announcement did not substantively address these measures.
McNaney also noted that the government’s requirement that children under the age of 18 who are not fully vaccinated must adhere to a 14-day quarantine runs counter to the approach taken by other countries. “The government repeatedly states it is working with our international partners and following science, yet pursues initiatives such as mandatory quarantine for minors that is completely out of step with other jurisdictions. In fact, the policy directly contradicts the recommendations issued jointly on June 17 by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency” he said.
“Unlike many other countries including our G7 partners, Canada has yet to provide a clear restart plan outlining when and how major travel and border restrictions will be removed, in particular for fully vaccinated travellers from foreign countries, and how the Panel’s recommendations will be adopted. As vaccination programs increase rapidly and jurisdictions around the world provide consumers and industry with a clear path forward, we must do the same. Countries that successfully implement a science and data – based testing and quarantine policy will not only protect public health, they will also drive their overall domestic recovery and take jobs and investment from countries that do not. We must get moving now”, concluded McNaney.
About the National Airlines Council of Canada:
The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system. Pre-pandemic our members collectively carried over 80 million passengers annually, directly employed over 60,000 people and served as a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector, which supported more than 630,000 jobs.
Major Canadian airlines acknowledge the change but much more needs to be done for safe restart of travel
Ottawa, June 9, 2021 – Canada’s major airlines noted today’s announcement by the federal government that in early July it will allow fully vaccinated Canadians to be exempt from hotel quarantine, and to end their quarantine upon receipt of a negative molecular test result on arrival. However the industry cautioned that Canada still desperately needs a clear restart plan for international travel, based on data and science-based recommendations put forth by the federal government’s own expert advisory panel.
“Easing quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated Canadians is an initial step in the right direction for the safe restart of our economy, but it falls far short of the recommendations provided by Health Canada’s Expert Advisory Panel report released on May 27”, said Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest airlines (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation, and WestJet).
The Health Canada Advisory Panel report, prepared by experts in epidemiology, virology as well as advanced data analytics, is a data and science-based review that calls for a variety of changes to travel and border measures including elimination of quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers, elimination of hotel quarantine for all travellers, reduction of quarantine for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers, and the use of rapid antigen testing. Today’s announcement by federal Ministers did not address any of those measures nor provide a timeframe in which the government will move forward on the recommendations.
The Panel report also recognized the need to achieve consistency within Canada concerning provincial travel measures and restrictions, and for the government to establish a verification system for testing and vaccination results. The federal government needs to provide the public and industry with a clear understanding of work underway and timeframes for further action on both of these fronts.
“Unlike many other countries including all other G7 nations, the federal government has yet to provide a clear restart plan outlining when and how major travel and border restrictions will be removed. As vaccination programs increase rapidly and jurisdictions around the world provide consumers and industry with a clear path forward, we must do the same. Countries that successfully implement a science and data – based testing and quarantine policy will not only protect public health, they will also drive their overall domestic recovery and take jobs and investment from countries that do not. We must get moving now”, concluded McNaney.
About the National Airlines Council of Canada:
The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system. Collectively, its member airlines carry over 80 million passengers annually, directly employ over 60,000 people and are a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector which supports more than 630,000 jobs.
Ottawa, May 26, 2021 – Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation and WestJet), issued the following statement in response to today’s release by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney of the province’s re-start plan entitled “Open For Summer”.
“Canada’s major airlines congratulate the Alberta government on today’s release of the province’s restart strategy entitled “Open for Summer”. The plan provides criteria for the phased re-opening of the economy including welcoming domestic and international visitors. We want to thank the Premier for providing clarity to consumers and industry. Today’s announcement follows the release yesterday of British Columbia’s restart plan, which also establishes timeframes and metrics for the restart of regional and national travel.
We continue to call on the federal government to work with the aviation sector to provide similar clarity concerning the restart of international travel, and how we will address on-going travel restrictions within Canada to achieve domestic consistency.”
About the National Airlines Council of Canada:
The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system. Collectively, its member airlines carry over 80 million passengers annually, directly employ over 60,000 people and are a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector which supports more than 630,000 jobs.
Expert Advisory Panel recommends elimination of quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers, changes to testing and screening, and elimination of hotel quarantine policy
Ottawa, May 27, 2021 – Mike McNaney, President and CEO of the National Airlines Council of Canada, which represents Canada’s largest carriers (Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation and WestJet), issued the following statement in response to the report released today by the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel:
“The report by the Panel contains a series of key recommendations including elimination of quarantine and pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated travellers, elimination of hotel quarantine for partially vaccinated or non- vaccinated travellers, reduction of quarantine duration overall to potentially 7 days instead of 14, and the effective use of rapid antigen testing.
We strongly support these recommendations, and they are in-keeping with policy measures that are already being implemented by other countries as they release their plans for the safe re-start of aviation and travel.
The overall report represents a wide series of data and science-based recommendations, prepared after months of review by an independent advisory panel consisting of experts in epidemiology, virology, as well as advanced data analytics.
With vaccination rates continuing to climb aggressively in Canada, and as provincial governments come forth with their re-start plans, the federal government must move immediately to engage with industry and utilize the Panel’s report as the basis now to implement a clear and strong re-start strategy for Canada.
We must get moving on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Canadians in every region of the country whose livelihoods depend on travel and tourism.”
About the National Airlines Council of Canada:
The National Airlines Council of Canada represents Canada’s largest national and international passenger air carriers: Air Canada, Air Transat, Jazz Aviation LP and WestJet. It promotes safe, sustainable and competitive air travel by advocating for the development of policies, regulations and legislation to foster a world-class transportation system. Collectively, its member airlines carry over 80 million passengers annually, directly employ over 60,000 people and are a critical component of Canada’s overall air transport and tourism sector which supports more than 630,000 jobs.
OTTAWA — The National Airlines Council of Canada is applauding Alberta’s reopening plan.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced the plan yesterday. Called ‘Open For Summer’, the plan could see almost all public health measures lifted as early as June 28, when 70% of Albertans aged 12 and over are expected to have received at least one shot.
There would be no restrictions on indoor or outdoor social gatherings, and domestic and international visitors would be welcome.
Kenney suggested Alberta could even be on track to hold signature summer festivals such as the Calgary Stampede.
NACC President and CEO Mike McNaney said: “Canada’s major airlines congratulate the Alberta government on today’s release of the province’s restart strategy entitled ‘Open for Summer’. The plan provides criteria for the phased re-opening of the economy including welcoming domestic and international visitors.”
“We want to thank the Premier for providing clarity to consumers and industry. Today’s announcement follows the release yesterday of British Columbia’s restart plan, which also establishes timeframes and metrics for the restart of regional and national travel.”
McNaney finished with a call for transparency from the federal government when it comes to restart plans for international travel. “We continue to call on the federal government to work with the aviation sector to provide similar clarity concerning the restart of international travel, and how we will address on-going travel restrictions within Canada to achieve domestic consistency,” he said.
