Greater Sudbury makes COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for city staff
Greater Sudbury has released its COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees.
In a news release Wednesday, the city said all employees are required to disclose their vaccination status by Sept. 30 and to be fully vaccinated with an accepted vaccine by Nov. 15.
"The policy applies to all city employees, volunteers, students and members of council," the release said.
Employees at Pioneer Manor have a separate policy in place. The policy will also apply to members of council committees when meetings move from virtual to in-person.
“Since this pandemic began more than 18 months ago, the city has followed all public health advice and implemented measures to protect the well-being of our employees and our community,” Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger is quoted as saying in the release.
“This policy is the next step in that approach, and aligns us with many other private- and public-sector organizations. We know that vaccination is our best defence against COVID-19, and it’s a vital step in protecting our employees, their loved ones and our community as a whole.”
Greater Sudbury will make "reasonable accommodation" for workers with a valid Human Rights Code-based exemption for medical or religious reasons, following application and approval with the appropriate documentation.
"Those employees will be required to undergo regular rapid antigen testing in order to protect other employees and ensure adequate infection and prevention control measures," the release said.
City workers who don't have an approved accommodation plan and are not fully vaccinated may request options for leave in accordance with current policies and collective bargaining agreements.
'Progressive discipline'
There is a provision for progressive discipline for employees who fail to comply with the requirements of the policy, the release added.
“With the ongoing concerns over the fourth wave and variants of concern, we continue to face unique and considerable risks associated with this unprecedented pandemic,” CAO Ed Archer said in the release.
“Similar to what is being done in many municipalities across Ontario, adopting this policy will allow employees and residents to enter our facilities knowing we are taking all reasonable steps to keep them safe and healthy. We have made, and will continue to make, decisions that support a safe workplace and protect everyone in this community.”
All city facilities continue to follow public health advice as it relates to additional health and safety measures, including wearing masks, self-screening, washing hands and physical distancing.
Beginning Sept. 22, the province will require Ontario residents to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to access certain businesses and settings, including fitness/recreational facilities, sporting events, meeting and event spaces, restaurants, bars, casinos, cinemas and concerts.
"This will have an impact on some city facilities, and more details will be shared in the coming days as the province provides more detailed guidance on implementing this program," the city said.
For COVID-19 updates and information related to city services, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Minister said 'hundreds' of Canadians might use Gaza visa. More than 7,500 applied.
An immigration lawyer in Toronto says new figures from the federal government show just how 'grudging' Ottawa's efforts have been to rescue Canadians' family members from the war in the Gaza Strip.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.