The vaccine passport irritates traders, but the Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon, asks them to be patient in order to contribute to the collective effort to reduce contagion and avoid worsening the situation in overwhelmed hospitals.
“I think that the vaccine passport is a tool that public health has put forward to ensure that we control contamination as much as possible,” said the minister, Monday morning, during a press conference on an investment in digital transformation.
Consumers must now present their vaccination passport to access large stores, the area of which is greater than 1,500 square meters. The measure does not affect grocery stores and pharmacies.
The decision creates irritants among traders who must apply the measure. The obligation to assign employees to verify vaccination proof in a context of labor scarcity, fears for the safety of employees who have to refuse clients and the loss of clients are among the decried consequences.
Mr Fitzgibbon shares traders’ frustrations. “I can’t wait for this to end. I can’t wait to go to the restaurant. »
However, he believes that his government’s decision is the right one to avoid worsening the critical situation in overwhelmed hospitals. “We listen to what is happening on the side of the WHO, he adds. There is a small sacrifice to be made for everyone. I think we should. »
Aid to restaurant owners delayed
Mr. Fitzgibbon also assured that the emergency aid promised to restaurateurs should be paid quickly. Restaurateurs have complained of not having received the promised aid, while many have suffered the repercussions of this new wave since the closure order of December 20.
The aid is paid by the local investment funds (FLI). Mr. Fitzgibbon explained that the holiday vacation may have delayed work in some FLIs. He specifies, however, that several restaurateurs have already received their check. “The instructions from the Ministry of the Economy are: “we write the checks”. If the checks aren’t done yet, they will be done soon. »
The Minister considers that the emergency aid provided to restaurateurs is “a good program”.
“The money is there. We will pay. The program is not complex. We have up to $15,000 for fixed costs. The federal government is there for rents and wages. We also have the $10,000 for the loss of perishable food. »
Digital transformation
The Legault government announced Monday morning additional funding of $24.6 million to support eight new projects to support companies that want to digitize part of their activities.
This aid is part of a total envelope of $130 million devoted to the digital transformation offensive. An amount of $56.8 million had already been granted. The government plans to make further announcements by March 31. Companies that receive aid must finance half of the service offered.
The amounts announced will be distributed among eight associations that will support companies in their respective sectors. These include the Network of Industrial Centers of Expertise, Sensation Mode, the Regroupement des cabinets de courtage d’assurance du Québec and the Food Processing Council of Québec.
“Our action will ensure that nearly 49,000 businesses will now be made aware of the importance of making a digital transition and that 11,000 of them will be supported in their approach,” said the Minister.