Starting June 20, Canada's Transport Minister, Omar Alghabra, will no longer require travellers to be vaccinated for domestic or international travel.
Incoming international tourists, including cruise guests, will still be needed to show proof of vaccination until at least the end of the month.
Face covers will be required on trains and flights as well.
Although this upcoming shift will make travel more convenient across the country, it may also result in increased wait times at Canadian airports this summer.
Canada has required vaccinations for air travel within the country and on departing aircraft since October, as well as travel on Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains.
Until until, airlines and railways were responsible for verifying travellers' immunisation status.
That will change next week, when the need for domestic and international travellers departing from the United States is removed.
This revelation, however, has no bearing on people coming in Canada from the United States, as all overseas visitors must continue to provide proof of vaccination in order to enter the country.
Americans who are just partially vaccinated or have never been vaccinated are still forbidden from entering Canada.
Travelers entering Canada are deemed completely vaccinated if they have received the final dosage of an approved two-dose or single-dose vaccination, such as those from Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson, at least 14 days following the final dose.
If accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult traveller, children aged 5 to 11 are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements, and entry requirements do not apply to individuals under the age of 5.
While you will still need your immunisation certificate to enter Canada, you will not be required to show it when travelling within the country or returning home.
"Because vaccination rates and virus control in other countries varies widely," the ministry stated in a statement, "existing vaccination restrictions at the border will remain in effect."
"This will lessen the burden of international travel on our health-care system and provide additional security against any future variants."
If you're planning a trip to Canada from another country, you'll need to keep uploading evidence of immunisation and other travel details to the ArriveCan app 72 hours before your trip.
Canada extends the obligation for visitors to get vaccinated until at least June.
Furthermore, from July 1, all travellers, regardless of immunisation status, should expect random COVID-19 testing.
According to the CBC, arrival testing will be moved off of airports.
This is owing to increased wait times for testing and large airports, such as Toronto Pearson (YYZ), as a result of staffing shortages and increased summer travel.
Although Tuesday's announcement should make it easier for international visitors to get around Canada and return home after a trip there, potential visitors should be aware that the country could reinstate its domestic travel vaccination requirement, which would be "reintroduced if necessary" in the fall, according to Canadian Treasury Board president Mona Fortier in a press conference statement.
Always check Canada's most recent entry requirements before travelling there from another country, and make sure you have any necessary papers on hand at the time of your visit to guarantee a seamless experience.
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