Update on Mandatory Vaccination Policy

The Government of Canada’s mandatory vaccination policy came into effect on October 6th 2021, mandating Covid-19 vaccinations for all employees in federally regulated workplaces, including AJC members, regardless of whether they work onsite, remotely, or telework.

Some 268, 000 public servants were required to attest to their vaccination status by October 29th, and they have done so. As of Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021:

• 267,222 (99.7%) have reported attestations
• 255,533 (95.3%) are fully vaccinated
• 7 284 (2.7%) are partially vaccinated
• 1,255 (0.5%) are unvaccinated
• 3,150 (1.2%) have requested accommodations

The information is posted on the Canada.ca site and is available at the following link: Reported attestations in the federal public service: COVID-19 vaccination requirement   In addition, a backgrounder is available: Update on Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration including the RCMP .

As it has been the case since the beginning of this global pandemic, the AJC’s priority continues to be the health and safety of its members.   Consequently, the AJC supports the broadest possible vaccination of Canadians, including public servants, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.  Mandatory vaccinations and mandatory masking in workplaces, including courtrooms, subject to permitted exceptions, are ways to ensure that the health and safety of our members are protected.

We continue to encourage all our members to get fully vaccinated and remain committed to assisting our members, on a case-by-case basis, to ensure that the Employer meets its duty to accommodate and complies with its legal and collective agreement obligations.

On that front, the Treasury Board recently issued a memo clarifying that Employment and Social Development Canada is recommending how to treat record of employment (ROE) coding in relation to failures to comply with the employer’s mandatory vaccination policy. They have indicated that the ROE in cases where an employee is put on LWOP for not providing a signed attestation of vaccination should indicate code M, termination or suspension.

The AJC takes exception to this coding and will be challenging the Treasury Board’s approach on the basis that this is inconsistent with their policy. We will keep you informed of developments on this issue.