6 • THURSDAY, August 5, 2021
VIEWPOINT
www.merrittherald.com
GOVERNMENT
ALBAS: Travel post-COVID
As my summer listening tour continues, one topic that I continue to hear being raised is regarding vaccine passports. While I continue DAN ALBAS to hear opposition, VIEW FROM I am also increasTHE HILL ingly hearing from other citizens who are demanding the Federal Government announce a federal vaccine passport program. Most have opposed the use of documents -- whether it is a called a ‘vaccination record’ or ‘passport’ domestically. I should note that the decision to require citizens within Canada to use such documentation would be a provincial and not a federal one. However, it becomes a federal matter when that travel is international. It is a sovereign right of any country to establish under law who may enter their country and under what circumstances. As a Member of Parliament, I believe Canada has the same sovereign right to admit or reject any admission under its own lawful authority and I believe Canadians strongly support that right. It has been reported to me that some countries will only recognize mRNA vaccines manufactured by companies such as Pfizer and Moderna. In other words, Canada will provide more flexibility on the list of approved vaccines to visitors than many other countries who have formerly announced guidelines to foreign visitors. While a federal vaccine passport program has not yet been announced my question this week is as follows: When there is a federal vaccine passport program here in Canada, will you access it? I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl. gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.
Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241
MERRITT HERALD
Janelle Gage Students, parents, and teachers: submit your student art to newsroom@merrittherald.com for a chance to be featured each week! Submissions are printed on a first come, first serve basis.
Editor Jake Courtepatte newsroom@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241
Reporter Morgan Hampton reporter@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241
Sales Representative Office Administrator Ken Couture kcouture@aberdeenpublishing.com 250-378-4241 Making Advertising Work For You.
2090 Granite Ave., PO Box 9, Merritt, B.C. Phone (250) 378-4241 Fax (250) 378-6818
Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher.
This Merritt Herald is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact newsroom@merrittherald.com or call (250) 378-4241. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.
