Open this photo in gallery

       A person walks by a COVID-19 vaccination sign in Montreal on Aug. 8, 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Canada and around the world.

       Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press

       The Liberals have promised a $1-billion fund to help provinces and territories implement proof-of-vaccination requirements for non-essential businesses and public spaces.

       The party says it would also look to procure enough doses of second-generation COVID-19 vaccines, if required, and would offer free booster shots. The World Health Organization recently called for a two-month moratorium on booster shots in order to redirect vaccines to poorer countries.

       And the Liberals are also promising $100-million to study the long-term impacts of the virus – conditions known as “long COVID” – including its effects on vulnerable populations and children.

       The Liberals say these measures, unveiled Friday, will help keep Canadians safe after the reopening of communities and businesses.

       “If your premier mandates that everyone in your local restaurant or gym or other non-essential location must be fully vaccinated and show proof, we’ll pay for the development and rollout of that program,” Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said at a restaurant in Mississauga, Ont., where he was making the announcement. “A vaccine mandate for non-essential businesses is a good idea. It keeps people safe. It encourages everyone to do the right thing. It keeps our businesses open. And it keeps our economy rebuilding.”

       Vaccinations have been a key political issue in the federal election campaign so far. Mr. Trudeau is proposing vaccine mandates for federal workers and travellers and has pointed out Tory candidates are not required to be vaccinated. Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole does not support mandatory vaccination on trains and planes for federal public servants or on trains and planes, and has said people should take a rapid test or provide a negative test instead.

       Parties spar over mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policies on federal election campaign’s third day

       Latest updates and essential reading ahead of Sept. 20 vote

       Follow the latest Nanos-Globe-CTV numbers ahead of the Sept. 20 vote

       Mr. Trudeau held his Friday event at Nafisa, a Syrian restaurant. While people standing in front of the television cameras were distanced, reporters and party staff in the room were standing in very close proximity in the packed space. At least 35 people were in the room.

       When asked if he was breaking the spirit or the letter of the law at his event, Mr. Trudeau said that the Liberals always follow public health guidance and experts advising their campaign. According to Ontario’s reopening guidelines, indoor public gatherings are capped at 25 people, restaurants have no capacity limits as long as physical distancing is maintained between tables and event spaces can hold up to 50 per cent capacity. The Globe is seeking clarity on which rules applied to Mr. Trudeau’s press conference.

       Mr. Trudeau also said there is an expectation that all Liberal candidates are vaccinated but there are “a couple” who about to get their second dose. The party has yet to specify how many candidates are not fully vaccinated.

       Quebec and British Columbia have already announced plans for a vaccine passport system that would require proof of vaccination to enter certain non-essential businesses or to attend events. But provinces such as Ontario and Alberta have resisted implementing such measures.

       Story continues below advertisement

       In his remarks, Mr. Trudeau took aim specifically at Ontario Premier Doug Ford, urging him to take up vaccine passports as Quebec and B.C. have done, arguing there will be economic consequences if he doesn’t.

       “I certainly hope that here in Ontario, Premier Ford steps up as well. It’s time for him to listen to public health officials and leaders like (Mississauga Mayor) Bonnie Crombie,” Mr. Trudeau said.

       In Ontario this week, some local health units have raised the possibility of introducing their own vaccine passports if no provincewide policy is approved. Some businesses have also come up with their own vaccine requirements for customers.

       In response, Mr. Ford’s office said Ontario has put forward “the most cautious reopening plan” in the country, which includes some of the highest vaccination thresholds in the country and requires masking in indoor public spaces as well as capacity limits and distancing requirements.

       Spokeswoman Ivana Yelich said Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Kieran Moore, has said the province will continue to monitor the trajectory and status of the Delta variant “and respond accordingly.” Ontario has repeatedly rejected the idea of a vaccine certificate, saying the digital receipt provided to people who have been fully vaccinated is sufficient.

       Conservative leader Erin O’Toole on Friday said he would leave decisions about vaccine passports up to the provinces.

       “As a federal partner we will respect the provinces and their decisions with respect to health measures, with respect to balancing the needs of keeping people safe and keeping the economy going. And if the provinces make decisions on vaccinations, vaccine passports, we will support and respect what the provinces decide to do,” Mr. O’Toole said.

       NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Friday that Ottawa should create a national vaccine passport that could be used across the country.

       “I think the federal government should just do it,” he said in Thunder Bay. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just have one central document?”

       Mr. O’Toole started his day in Corner Brook, NL, where he rolled out more policies focused on labour and workers’ rights.

       He has made the policy area the focus of his announcements this week and on Friday announced that a Conservative government would extend Employment Insurance sickness coverage from 26 weeks to as long as 52 weeks for people with serious illnesses such as cancer.

       Follow the party leaders and where they stand on the issues this election campaign by signing up for our Morning or Evening Update newsletters.

       For subscribers only: Get exclusive political news and analysis by signing up for the Politics Briefing.