Why the head of London's Chamber of Commerce supports a COVID-19 vaccine passport

The chief executive officer of the London Chamber of Commercehas expressed support for a COVID-19 vaccine passport in the face of a fourth wave.

Graham Henderson believes"generally speaking, people's patience with those who aren't vaccinated is wearing very thin because of the economic impact on our country."

"We know that if we get to certain levels of vaccination, then we can do X, Y and Z," he added. "And what's holding us back are folks who are reluctant."

Hendersonsaid he understandsome people are unable to be vaccinated due to religious or medical reasons, but believes a "significant" portion of the population are simply hesitant to roll up their sleeves.

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In Middlesex-London, 80.8 per cent of people 12 years old and up have receivedat least one shot, slightly higher than the Ontario average.

As well, 66.9 per cent have been fully vaccinated, lower than the provincial average of 71.95 per cent.

"The longer this persists, with our economy hobbled because of the reluctance of a few people to get a vaccine," said Henderson, "the more government is going to be pressured to start to do something about it."

Taking matters into their own hands

One employer in downtown London has taken matters into his own hands.

Although Marvin Post, owner of Attic Books, hasn't implemented a vaccine pass system for his store, he has given an incentive to employeesa bonus for getting the shot.

Post had offered employees enough money to at least cover a day of work. All his employees have been vaccinated.

"The federal government made that quite a viable option with the wage subsidies," said Post.

He saidit's "trickier" with customers as"some of them get pretty heated up about any possible infringement on their supposed rights."

"I think people have a right to breathe."

Henderson doesn't believe businessesshould come up with a passport system independently.

"That will require federal, provincial agreement," he said. "That would require, you know, the government to create those passports.

"The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, just yesterday [Monday], with our full support, put out a call to the governments of Canada provincial and federal to, for God's sake, could you please agree on a standard?"Henderson said."Like, what willthese passports look like?"