Tech companies are seeking to make Newmarket a testing ground for how digital COVID-19 vaccine verification could work.
A group of partnering organizations seeks to implement a "digital verification covipass," utilizing technology that could allow workplaces and venues to confirm whether someone has received a vaccine or has negative COVID-19 test results.
The proponents are examining Newmarket as a place to kickstart and gather data on the initiative. They presented the concept to the Newmarket economic advisory committee June 22.
ThinkOn CEO Craig McLellan said it could be an important tool to help reopen the economy.
“It’s really about trying to identify who is actually in a position to participate in the economy,” McLellan said. “At the same time, we do not want to compromise an individual’s ability to control and share their health data. This is about putting control in the hands of the consumer and the individual user, not in the government.”
The initiative leverages existing verification technology through a pre-pandemic program called Ontario trusted account. It allowed patients to access their health records more easily and is in place at Southlake Regional Health Centre and other hospitals.
Proponents are scaling up that technology for vaccine verification and are seeking organizations to partner and be testing sites.
The advisory committee did not make any decisions, and members indicated they would send in their thoughts after the meeting.
The data would allow workplaces to know who is vaccinated and address outbreaks. Other uses could be to help people feel safe in larger venues. Proof of vaccination could become an entry condition at testing areas.
Proponents said the technology is verified through government privacy commissioners. They also indicated the province is considering it, though it is still unknown whether it supports it on a wide scale. Part of the reasoning for a study is to show the province how the technology could work.
Mayor John Taylor said the municipality needs to think about the challenges of reopening and what tools are needed. But he expressed concerns about whether the town could be a partner without provincial backing.
“Part of me says you need to be bold and do what’s right, and this seems like the right direction,” Taylor said. “But if the province isn’t willing to take any political risk, it’s a lot to ask little old Newmarket to do it all.”
But Taylor said businesses and organizations could reach out to the proponents individually if they want to be a part of it.
Members commented on how vaccine hestitancy could impact a study. Newmarket Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Tracy Walter said although some employers would embrace this, they experienced challenges with a recent workplace rapid COVID-19 testing program.
“They got real push back from their employees, and they weren’t willing to take that on right now,” Walter said.
SecureKey CEO Greg Wolfond said it would be a way for businesses to address any COVID-19 outbreaks or cases. He said workplaces could message unvaccinated workers and ask them to stay home if there are cases.
“We’ll tune it as we go,” Wolfond said. “We’re just trying to make sure we dial the levers right. To make sure it works for people.”
CanImminuze CEO Dr. Kumana Wilson said the pandemic is not over yet and tools like this could help keep businesses open.
“In September, when people move back in, there are going to be flare-ups and they’re going to shut down workplaces," Wilson said. "We have to protect them."
