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
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.