(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

LIQUOR & CANNABIS

Liquor and cannabis stores given little time to implement vaccine passports

Oct 1, 2021 | 4:00 PM

Implementing the Saskatchewan government’s proof-of-vaccination policy has been a stressful scramble for some businesses.

The new policy came into effect Friday for some non-essential businesses. That includes stand-alone liquor and cannabis stores that weren’t notified they’d be part of the program until Wednesday.

Marilyn Ferguson is the manager of Prairie Cannabis in Prince Albert and said she was told her store would be part of the new policy late Wednesday, less than 48 hours before it was to start.

She said it’s not just staff that are frustrated with this late notice but customers as well, many of which showed up Friday without knowing they needed proof of vaccination.

“It’s not good, it’s ugly out there. There are a lot of upset people. It wasn’t fair to them and it’s certainly not fair to us now that we have to implement these orders.”

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Ferguson said she had already dealt with many angry customers Friday morning when they were told to have their proof of vaccine with them.

“If the person has their information available and together, that’s fine. A lot don’t. They weren’t aware that this was going to happen to them until they came into the store. There’s lots of people upset about this.”

According to the Government of Saskatchewan, the list of businesses requiring proof of vaccination includes stand-alone liquor and cannabis stores.

However, integrated liquor stores found in other retail stores are exempt from the new rules, meaning liquor stores inside of retailers like Costco or Superstore do not need proof of vaccination.

Management at the Beer Market in Prince Albert told paNOW that while they were given late notice about the policy, they’re willing to follow the rules set out by the provincial government.

For Ferguson though, she’s skeptical over whether this new vaccine passport will ease the burden on the health-care system as the province intends for it to do.

“They’ve created a bigger burden for other people that can’t now access those things they need to get through their day.”

The provincial opposition is also criticizing the government’s implementation of the proof-of-vaccine system, and the confusion around liquor stores.

Aleana Young, NDP critic for economy and jobs, told reporters Friday she’s not happy with the inconsistency of which businesses are affected.

“I would like to see consistency in terms of how this is applied. Whether it is between…speaking of liquor stores, off-sales and larger liquor retailers or even whether it’s between public and private sector employees,” she demanded.

She also believes vaccines should be mandatory for every staff member at all businesses that fall under the proof-of-vaccination rules.

“It’s a hole that you could drive a truck through within the public health order,” she said.

-With files from CKOM

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Derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @PA_Craddock