After repeatedly spurning the notion of a system that would force people in Ontario toshow proof-of-vaccinationfor access to some non-essential services, such as gyms and bars, Premier Doug Ford appears to have once againchanged his tuneto match public opinion: Provincial vaccine passports are happening.

The GTHA Mayors and Chairs confirmed in a statement on Monday afternoon that "the province is developing a proof of vaccination program," noting that we can "look forward to hearing more details very soon."

Unnamed sources at Queen's Park have been saying the same thing to journalists since late last week, most-recently telling Toronto's 680 NEWS that plans for a provincewide vaccine certificate programwill be announced on Tuesday.

A "senior government source"told CTV News on Fridaythat, while details were still being hashed out, Ontario's passport system would require customers to show a proof-of-vaccination document before entering restaurants and movie theatres, among other settings.

STATEMENT: GTHA Mayors and Chairs look forward to details of provincial proof of vaccination programpic.twitter.com/JWvYoF9zwR

— John Tory (@JohnTory)August 30, 2021

The premier has been under increasing pressure frombusiness owners,public health official, andother levels of governmentto implement some kind of provincial vaccine certificate program.

Ford has remained steadfast in his position for weeks, however, that vaccine passports wouldcreate a "split society"where the vaccinated and unvaccinated lived their lives by different sets of rules (which, it should be noted,they already do in a lot of ways).

With vaccination rates stalling and case numbers rising amida confirmed fourth waveof the COVID-19 pandemic, the premier may finally have been convinced to reconsider his stance.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau might have hastened the process bycalling upon Ford to "step up"and "listen to public health officials" already during a campaign stop in Mississauga on Friday.

Ford will bring in a vaccine passport this week. It will be interesting to see if it is implemented and in place prior to September 20. Worst case scenario is 1500 daily cases and a passport in place on voting day. Canadians are tired of the pandemic and never ending restrictionshttps://t.co/0LKW0N5vMf

— Darryl Wolk (@darrylwolk)August 30, 2021

Trudeau highlighted on Friday how effective even the announcements of forthcoming passport programs have been in getting vaccination rates up in B.C.and Quebec公关,都有自己的疫苗证书ogramslaunching in September.

As of today, Aug. 30, Ontario's Ministry of Health is reporting that 83 per cent of all residents over the age of 12 have now recieved one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Roughly 76 per cent have now recieved two.

"Ontario has put forward the most cautious reopening plan, which includes some of thehighest vaccination thresholds, maintaining masking in public indoor spaces, as well as capacity limits and distancing requirements, and releasing the most comprehensive, far-ranging mandatory vaccination policies for high-risk settings in the country," said a spokesperson for the premier in a statement responding to Trudeau's comments.

"As Dr. Moore has already said, we will continue to monitor the trajectory and status of the Delta variant and respond accordingly."