No mandatory vaccination policy at Algoma University
COVID-19 vaccinations will not be mandatory for students or faculty at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie when classes resume in September.
This comes after Seneca College in Toronto said last week that mandatory vaccination is necessary for on-campus activity, and several universities in southern Ontario are making vaccinations mandatory for those living residence.
Brianne Pringle, Algoma's director of human resources, said the decision not to make vaccines mandatory comes after extensive community consultation.
"We did a lot of consultation with our public health, with our stakeholders within the community, and really direction coming from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the Council of Ontario Universities," said Pringle.
"We'll continue to follow public health directives and ensure our community is safe … And there's more than just that vaccine piece that we have to look at, even for those that are vaccinated. So that's making sure that when distancing is still required, distancing is required and that masks are required and capacity limits are required."
The president of the Algoma University Student Union said a mandatory vaccination policy would particularly impact one group of students.
"That would very much disproportionately affect our international students," said Rebekah Gwynn. "A lot of our students are coming from way overseas -- we have a lot of students coming from India specifically. And many of the vaccines available there in those countries aren't necessarily part of the big four that Canada wants."
Still, Gwynn said the student union encourages students to get vaccinated.
"The student union is actually quite pleased with the way the university is handling (this)," she said. "We'd also like to very much encourage everyone to get vaccinated whenever possible, as long as it's safe for you to do."
Officials at Algoma University said information on vaccines will be made available to students along with where to get their shot if they choose to get vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.