Confusion mounts over Ontario Minor Hockey Association's vaccine policy
There's growing confusion surrounding Alliance Hockey the Ontario Minor Hockey Association's decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for players, parents, coaches and staff.
The policy states everyone eligible for the shot must show proof in order to play, but the province's guidelines exempt youth aged 12 to 18 playing organized sports from providing proof of vaccination.
The policy affects players with the Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo and Guelph minor hockey associations, as well as many others across Ontario.
Players 12 and older had to provide proof of their first dose Sept. 17 and must be fully immunized by Oct. 31.
With Ontario's vaccine certificate program coming into play on Wednesday, the Ford government said children 12 to 18 are allowed to enter sport and recreation facilities without showing proof of vaccination.
Exactly how the OMHA and Alliance Hockey rules will be implemented and who is responsible for checking vaccine certificates remains unclear.
Local municipalities said the onus isn't on them.
"Ultimately, the decision to amend any return to sport plan is in the local and provincial sports organizations’ hands, in continued consultation with higher levels of government," the City of Waterloo said in a statement. "The City of Waterloo establishes operating standards for its facilities, but it’s the sports organizations and their provincial governing bodies that establish the health and safety protocols that govern the competition and participation in the sport. The City does not have a role."
City staff will be checking vaccine certification at the door of facilities.
"Whether the youth can participate in the sport, based on their organization’s rules, is up to them to verify," the city continued.
Officials in Cambridge echoed that sentiment.
"The City is aware that some groups (such as the Ontario Minor Hockey Association) may have regulations that exceed our policy," the City of Cambridge said in an email. "When this is the case, it would be the responsibility of the organization to enforce this amongst their players. It would not be part of our entry process."
A spokesperson for the City of Kitchener said proof of vaccination will be checked at the point of entry for each facility and will be required for each visit, following guidelines set out by the province.
"At city-owned and operated facilities, patrons will be required to show proof of full vaccination and follow all guidelines set out by the Province, as well as any additional vaccine policies and guidelines set out by sports organizations," the City of Kitchener said in an emailed statement. "Any additional vaccine policy requirements will be handled by sports organizations."
On top of the confusion around how the OMHA and Alliance Hockey policies will be implemented, some parents are also frustrated the policy doesn't fall in line with the province's mandate.
While some parents who spoke to CTV News said they're happy the vaccine mandate is in place, others said the mixed-messaging isn't fair.
CTV News has reached out to the OMHA and Alliance Hockey multiple times asking for clarification on how its vaccine policy will be enforced but has not yet received a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.