A month from now, unvaccinated Canadians will be barred from domestic flights and rail travel within Canada -- with very few exceptions -- as the Trudeau government says it is prioritizing a commitment made just before the federal election call.
At the first major press conference since last week's election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Canadians that travelling within our borders is about to change.
"If you want to, or are planning on getting on a plane or a train in the coming weeks or months, make sure that you and all members of your family over 12 years old have gotten vaccinated and are getting your second shot if you haven't already."
"You will not be able to travel on a plane or a train in Canada if you are not fully vaccinated."
The outline of the plan was announced back in mid-August, and was favourably received by Canada's major airlines and their representative group the National Airline Council of Canada.
In a series of tweets yesterday, Transport Minister Omar Alghabra gave further details.
"We are committed to keeping Canadians safe. That is why by the end of October, we will require employees in the federally regulated air, rail and marine transportation sectors to be vaccinated," Alghabra tweeted.
"This vaccination requirement will also extend to travellers, including all commercial air travellers, passengers on interprovincial trains, and passengers on large marine vessels with overnight accommodations."
Canada's major airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Porter Airlines have all previously announced mandatory vaccination policies for their employees.
When the government first announced in mid-August that new vaccination requirements would be coming, Air Canada called the move "a welcome step forward in the evolving measures to protect the health and safety of airline employees, customers and all Canadians." In one caveat, AC gave its opinion that fully vaccinated travellers should not face pre-departure testing.
Reached by TravelPulse Canada, an AC spokesperson said the company has "no update to provide" since that statement was made.
In its response to last month's announcement, WestJet said it would "adhere to the requirement for domestic travellers to be fully-vaccinated or tested prior to departure." But it asked for a testing option, saying that "rapid-antigen testing is an acceptable, accessible and affordable alternative for unvaccinated travellers."
Final details on medical or other exemptions, pre-departure testing and other parts of the process are yet to be announced.
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