Trudeau to announce COVID-19 vaccine mandate, will impact federal workers and travel – National

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make good at the moment on his election promise to require all federal staff to be absolutely vaccinated towards COVID-19.

Trudeau is anticipated to announce at a information convention this morning a brand new coverage of obligatory vaccinations for workers in federally regulated workplaces.

That may embrace obligatory vaccinations for anybody desirous to board a airplane or a practice in Canada.

The coverage is anticipated to enter impact by the top of this month.

Trudeau promised in August, simply earlier than calling the election, that his Liberal authorities would make vaccinations obligatory for federal staff.

Since then, Treasury Board officers have been understanding the small print together with the implications for employees who refuse to get vaccinated in session with the affected unions.

On Tuesday, an government of one of many unions mentioned a draft coverage that’s been circulated would require even federal staff who make money working from home to be absolutely vaccinated in the event that they need to preserve their jobs.

Stephane Aubry, vice-president of the Skilled Institute of the Public Service of Canada, mentioned the federal government seems to be leaning towards making vaccination “a situation of employment” that will apply to everybody, no matter the place they work.

The coverage is anticipated to permit just for very slim medical exceptions.

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Saskatchewan premier speaks with Trudeau about growing COVID-19 vaccine charges

Trudeau’s authorities can be working with provinces on producing a federal proof of vaccination certificates, or passport, however that isn’t anticipated to be a part of at the moment’s announcement.

Federal officers say a nationwide vaccine passport that might be used for worldwide journey can’t be created unilaterally by Ottawa as a result of all well being knowledge in Canada is compiled and saved by the provinces and territories.

Necessary vaccination turned a pivotal wedge subject throughout final month’s election marketing campaign.

Though personally supportive of vaccines, Conservative Chief Erin O’Toole was the one main get together chief to oppose making them obligatory, arguing that people’ private well being selections have to be revered.

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Canada election: Trudeau blasts O’Toole about his candidates’ vaccination standing

Trudeau solid the difficulty as a matter of exhibiting federal management, reinforcing the necessity for everybody to get vaccinated to guard themselves, their households and their communities.

He was dogged all through the marketing campaign by excessive, profanity-spewing, anti-vaccination protesters and supporters of the Individuals’s Occasion of Canada, which capitalized on the anti-vaccine motion to spice up its share of the favored vote to virtually 5 per cent.