Federal unions back mandatory vaccines for workers

Federal unions are giving a cautious endorsement to the government's plans to make vaccines mandatory for all public servants, but warn that workers' human rights must also be protected.

“Although we support the goals of the government's proposal, it's critical that any eventual plan put forward by the government that would collect or verify the vaccination or medical status of our members respects their legal right to privacy,” Chris Aylward, national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, said in a statement.

“The government must also provide accommodations for workers who cannot be vaccinated for reasons protected under human rights legislation.”

PSAC is the country's largest federal union, representing more than 215,000 employees.

On Friday, the federal government said it will make vaccinations mandatory for all federal employees, and that it expects Crown corporations and federally regulated industries to follow suit. Plane and train passengers will also need to be fully vaccinated.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted the measures on Sunday as he launched the country into a national election.

In a tweet Friday afternoon, Debi Daviau, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, also offered her support to the mandatory vaccinations, provided accommodations can be made.

“As the union representing the scientists who approved the COVID-19 vaccines, PIPSC welcomes all efforts to increase vaccination coverage in Canada,” Daviau tweeted.

“That includes a vaccine policy in the federal government that makes vaccines more accessible to our members and accommodates legitimate reasons for which an employee may not be vaccinated.”

Even though it's run by the city, OC Transpo falls under federal regulations because it operates interprovincially. The city couldn't answer Friday if OC Transpo employees will need to be vaccinated.

“As the federal government has not released the formal details pertaining to this announcement, the city is unable to comment,” Elizabeth Marland, director of human resources, said in an email.

Sunday's election call came as Ontario topped 500 new cases of COVID-19 for the fourth day in a row. Ottawa Public Health reported 13 new cases Sunday. There are 137 active COVID-19 cases in the city.