Ontario’s online proof-of-vaccination portal inaccessible outside of North America

Global News heard from multiple Canadians abroad who, when they tried to log in to pull up their COVID-19 vaccine proof, were notified that the Ontario vaccine webpage was blocked.

If you live in Ontario and are planning to travel abroad, you’ll want to download your proof of COVID-19 vaccination before you go.

That’s because Ontario’s vaccine website, where Canadians from the province can download the proof of vaccination they need to board their plane ride home, can’t be accessed from outside North America.

Global News heard from multiple Canadians abroad who, when they tried to log in to pull up their proof of vaccination, were notified that the Ontario vaccine webpage was blocked. The only Canadian contacted by Global News who was able to access the website was travelling in the United States.

Now, the Ontario government says it plans to “broaden portal access”  beyond North America — which is where it’s currently restricted to — but it provided no details on when it plans to make that happen.

“Access to Ontario’s vaccine portal was restricted to North America to increase security, since Ontarians were previously only using the portal to book vaccine appointments in the province,” said Alexandra Hilkene, ministry of health spokesperson.

“With the introduction of proof of vaccination, Ontario will broaden portal access beyond North America to support Ontarians abroad.”

In the meantime, Hilkene said Ontarians should download their proof of vaccination “before they travel within or outside Canada.”

“Additionally, everyone who provided their email address at point of vaccination will have a copy in their inbox that can be accessed without visiting the portal,” she said.