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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.