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
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer's disease
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
B.C. court date set for 3 accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three suspects accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year are scheduled to appear in court in Surrey on Tuesday.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.