Exemptions for unvaxxed air travellers soon available

“Starting November 30 there will be very few exemptions to allow unvaccinated travellers to travel,” Alghabra told reporters.

“For example, one of the rare exceptions is medical inability to be vaccinated.”

The transport department said exemptions would also “address specific situations such as emergency travel.”

Alghabra provided no legal text of the regulations but did explain one category of the allowable exemption on the basis of medical grounds.

“Travelers who think they may be eligible for medical exemptions should contact their airline or rail company to obtain the necessary form and submit it,” said Alghabra.

“To receive an exemption, travellers will need to submit a temporary exemption form signed by a licensed medical doctor or nurse practitioner to the operator.”

All vaccine-exempt domestic travellers would need to provide recent proof of a negative COVID-19 test. This is also required for international travellers based on a January 7 Quarantine Act order.

“I want to be clear, false claims could be subject to Transport Canada fines,” said Alghabra. “Operators must also report to Transport Canada all such exemptions granted.”

On August 15, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau threatened to ban all unvaccinated travellers from boarding commercial aircraft or trains.

“By the end of November if you’re 12 or older and want to fly or take the train you’ll have to be fully vaccinated as will staff,” said Trudeau.

“Testing will no longer be an option before boarding.”

However, on August 13, Trudeau told reporters less rigid rules would be applied stating, “for those who are unable to be vaccinated, accommodations or alternative measures such as testing and screening may be determined in each situation.”

Cabinet also approved exemptions on religious grounds similar to Aeronautics Act regulations for airport employees on November 13.

Aeronautics Act exemptions for employees at airports and airlines include consideration for those with “sincerely held religious beliefs” against immunization.

In the 2004 case — Syndicat Northcrest v. Amselem — the Supreme Court ruled “sincerely held religious beliefs” need not reflect the actual teachings of any organized religion, but the “deeply held personal convictions or beliefs connected to an individual’s spiritual faith and integrally linked to one’s self-definition and spiritual fulfillment.”

Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard

mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com