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By Canadian Press

Alberta’s new proof-of-vaccination cards can be easily edited, residents say

Sep 20, 2021 | 3:14 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Albertans needing proof they’re vaccinated against COVID-19 were able to download cards from the province’s website on Sunday, but almost right away some residents said they were easily able to edit them.

Dan Shugar, who lives in Calgary, says the card was in a PDF file which he was able to edit to say his name was “Fakus McFakeFace” and that he’d received doses of “Ivermectin Horsey Paste” and “Bleach.”

He noted that all of the fields could be edited and making changes was “mindbogglingly easy.”

The government announced the availability of the cards in a news release on Sunday, a day before its “restrictions exemption program” launches.

The program, in effect as of Monday (Sept. 20), allows businesses and venues to operate without capacity limits and other public health measures if they require proof of vaccination or a negative test result from anyone entering.

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Health ministry spokeswoman Amanda Krumins acknowledged in an email that “a motivated individual” can edit the PDF, but that “work continues on a more secure QR code that will be available in the coming weeks.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2021.

The Canadian Press