COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Fund: Response letter from Quebec
November 23, 2022
Mr. Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
Brooke Claxton Building, 16th Floor
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
Dear Minister Duclos,
This letter is in response to your correspondence of October 25, 2022, regarding the COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Fund set up by the Government of Canada and is intended to confirm Quebec's agreement with respect to the following commitments.
Quebec is committed to maintaining the standardization of COVID-19 proofs of vaccination, which the government of Quebec designates as a "Travel Document" with the pan-Canadian specification, and to continue monitoring its progression as it adapts to an international context, to ensure that it remains interoperable both at home and abroad.
As the pandemic continues to evolve, we are also committed to maintaining Canadian proof of vaccination (including their continued issuance) as long as other Canadian or international governments require it, for a period of up to three additional years, from April 1, 2022.
In addition, we are committed to collaborating and providing, on an ongoing basis, points of contact dedicated to other provincial and territorial governments and the Government of Canada to address user issues, including technical issues related to the proof of vaccination issued by the Government of Quebec that may arise outside the province. This will ensure the federal-provincial-territorial collaboration necessary to address possible issues, while continuing to support the Government of Canada's commitment to be a first point of contact to assist holders of Canadian proof of vaccination when they travel abroad.
Quebec also seeks to maintain collaboration with the Government of Canada in four areas identified in your correspondence, taking into account considerations specific to Indigenous communities and organizations.
As such, we will continue to share information and expertise with the Government of Canada and with the provinces and territories in areas such as consistent eligibility and accessibility of proof of vaccination across Canada, the accuracy and completeness of vaccine registries, and the security and integrity of information technology infrastructure.
Yours sincerely,
Minister of Health,
Christian Dubé
Minister of Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie,
Jean-François Roberge