OTTAWA: The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, on Wednesday announced details of the government’s plans to require COVID-19 vaccination across the federal public service and federally regulated transportation sectors.
Under the new policy, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration, including members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will be required to confirm their vaccination status by October 29, 2021.
Those who are unwilling to disclose their vaccination status or to be fully vaccinated will be placed on administrative leave without pay as early as November 15, 2021.
Employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors will have until October 30, 2021, to establish vaccination policies that ensure employees are vaccinated.
Effective October 30, 2021, travellers departing from Canadian airports, and travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, will be required to be fully vaccinated, with very limited exceptions.
The government is working with industry and key partners to put a strict vaccine requirement in place for cruise ships before the resumption of the 2022 cruise season.
Crown corporations and separate agencies are being asked to implement vaccine policies mirroring the requirements announced today for the rest of the public service. The Acting Chief of the Defence Staff will also issue a directive requiring vaccination for the Canadian Armed Forces.
The government will keep working with employers in other federally regulated workplaces to ensure vaccination is prioritized for workers in these sectors. By requiring vaccination from federal public servants, travellers, and employees in federally regulated transportation sectors, the Government of Canada will reduce the risk of COVID-19, prevent future outbreaks, and better protect the health of Canadians. Vaccination continues to be a priority for the government as we work to ensure a strong economic recovery and build a safer and healthier Canada for everyone.
Trudeau said: “Vaccines are the most effective tool against COVID-19, and countless Canadians – including many public servants – have already done their part and gotten their shots. But no one is safe until everyone is safe. We have enough doses in Canada for every person to be fully vaccinated across the country, so I encourage all Canadians who haven’t been vaccinated to book their shot today. Together, we will finish the fight against COVID-19.”
Chrystia Freeland said: “The best economic policy is a strong public health response, including encouraging vaccination for all eligible Canadians. As the country’s largest employer, the Government of Canada is leading by example. By requiring people who work in the public service to be fully vaccinated, we are putting the health and safety of public servants, their families, and their neighbours, first.
“This also protects the safety of anyone who enters a federal office to get the services they need. And we’re making sure travellers are safe, which will help hard-hit sectors recover. These responsible and practical actions will accelerate our economic recovery and give businesses valuable confidence that our strong economy is less vulnerable to COVID19-related lockdowns.”
Jean-Yves Duclos, President of the Treasury Board, said: “The requirements announced today bring us one step closer to ensuring that every public servant who is able to be vaccinated, is vaccinated. We’ll be able to count on vaccination as an extra layer of protection in communities where our employees live and work, where Canadians access federal government services, and when we travel.
“Any public servant who has not yet received their first dose should get vaccinated now.”
Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, added: “Vaccines are the best way to keep each other safe. Requiring travellers and employees to be vaccinated ensures that everyone who travels and works in the transportation industry will better protect each other and keep Canadians safe.”