Sault Ste. Marie rolls out vaccination policy for city staff
Sault Ste. Marie is moving ahead with its own vaccination program for staff ahead of the province's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Part of the city's rollout includes an education campaign for those who are vaccine-hesitant.
CAO Malcolm White said the Sault's vaccination policy for municipal staff will likely go into effect this week.
"As many other municipalities are doing, or have done, we are implementing our own policy for our own staff and contractors and casual staff and volunteers who may work in our programs," said White.
He said staff will be required to provide proof of vaccination. Those who don't will have to submit to regular COVID testing and provide a negative result.
For those hesitant about getting the vaccine, White said the city will impose a mandatory education program.
"We fully understand that there's a lot of information and misinformation about COVID as an infectious disease and COVID vaccination," he said. "We will work with staff to ensure they have access to accurate information on the benefits of that vaccination program."
White said any employee refusing to comply with the testing provision will be placed on unpaid leave.
Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano said there has been some push-back from the public regarding vaccine mandates. Some of that push-back came in the form of a gathering outside city hall during Monday night's council meeting.
"People have a right to demonstrate and they have a right to assemble and express their political opinion," said Provenzano.
"Frankly, I'm grateful they were doing that here in front of city hall as opposed to in front of a place like our hospital. So, I welcome political discussion, I welcome political disagreement as long as it's done peacefully and I respect it."
Sudbury and North Bay city councils will be discussing their respective vaccine policies later this month. A spokesperson for the City of Timmins said it has no vaccination policy for municipal staff at this time.
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.
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.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.