Scout Groups in Ontario
Please note that these government policies will be in place across Ontario as of September 22, 2021 and are not unique to Scouts Canada.
The Province of Ontario has released a guidance document for proof of vaccinations for businesses and organizations. Effective September 22, 2021 for our members in Ontario to use indoor space for meetings and events everyone in attendance who are eligible must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All other public health and safety measures also remain in effect (including capacity limits, patron screening, masking, physical distancing and collection of contact information where required).
As per the provincial guidance document (linked below), verification of vaccination will need to be completed as of September 22nd for indoor programming. An app will be launched by the province on October 22nd to support proof of vaccination. Until this app is released, we ask that you get proof of vaccination from all those eligible in your Groups (Scouters and youth 12 years of age and older) and document it using Scoutstracker or manually record this information using a printed membership listing report from MyScouts. For support on implementing this, please contact your GSS or RM.
We also want to identify that there are exemptions listed in this document regarding youth under 18 and organized sport; we are seeking clarification directly from the Minister of Health in regards to this to see if Scouting falls within this category.
The province also outlines some cases where indoor spaces may be used without proof of vaccination:
- To use a washroom
- To access an outdoor area that can only be accessed through an indoor route
- If documentation is provided from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner
Vaccine-eligible individuals include all those who are 12 years of age and older and do not have documentation of an exemption. For the purposes of the government policy, fully vaccinated means:
- The full series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines, or
- One or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or
- Three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, and
- They received their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before providing the proof of being fully vaccinated
How to verify vaccination:
- To enter a business or organization, the following must be provided:
- Proof identity that shows name and date of birth
- Proof vaccination (vaccine receipt, demonstrating full vaccination and that the final dose was taken at least 14 days prior)
- Either paper or digital copies of vaccine receipts can be provided, as long as they contain the following information:
- Name
- Date of vaccination
- Brand of vaccine at the time of vaccination
- To prove the identity of the individation, they must provide identification that includes both their name and date of birth (photo ID is not required)
- Valid identification documents include:
- Birth certificate
- Driver's license
- Government (Ontario or other) issued identification card (such as a health card)
- Passport
- Citizenship card
- Permanent resident (PR) card
- Indian Status Card or Indigenous Membership Card
To read the full guidance document for proof of vaccinations, please follow this link: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/guidance_proof_of_vaccination_for_businesses_and_organizations.pdf
Thank you for all you’ve done throughout the pandemic, and we hope that you’re looking forward to the many safe activities, meetings, and adventures that the next Scouting year will offer!
Scout Groups in Quebec
As of September 1st, the province of Quebec has mandated Vaccine Passports for all indoor and outdoor extra-curricular activities. This means that all Scouting activities will require every Youth and Volunteer aged 13 and older to be fully vaccinated and have proof using the Vaxicode app, unless medically exempt. The Contact Scouter or Scouter In Charge will be required to download the Vaxicode Verif App to validate vaccine status.
The current maximum capacity is set at 25 people for indoor and 50 outdoor. We will continue to follow the Scouts Canada Stage 4 standard.
How does Scouts Canada's policy and the provincial policy align? The Provincial mandate is already in effect for all members 13+, therefore supersedes the Scouts Canada requirement date and only medical exemptions will be accepted. As of November 1st, 2021, all members aged 12 will be required to self-declare their vaccination status.
If you have any questions, or concerns, please reach out to your Group Commissioner, or Relationship Manager and our team will be happy to support you.
We appreciate all your hard work to keep Scouting in Quebec strong throughout the pandemic. With this mandate, we are another step closer to COVID-free adventures!
