Lawyers for 201 federal employees are in Federal Court on Monday challenging government orders to reveal their vaccination status, says Blacklock’s Reporter..No federal judge has yet ruled on whether the November 15 order from the Treasury Board is constitutional..“They refuse to be vaccinated for reasons that vary,” wrote Justice Simon Fothergill..“They say their rights at common law and pursuant to the Charter Of Rights And Freedoms are infringed by the vaccination policy in a manner that cannot be justified.”.The Treasury Board required some 280,000 employees in “core administration” to prove they had COVID-19 shots or request an exemption for medical or religious reasons. About 98%, a total of 271,321 affected workers, are vaccinated. The board counted 1.6% or 4,662 who requested waivers, refused a vaccine or would not disclose their medical history on privacy grounds..“The vaccination policy does not permit mandatory testing as an alternative to those who simply do not wish to be vaccinated or who do not consent to disclosing their vaccination status to their employers,” wrote Fothergill..The 201 plaintiffs unsuccessfully sought an injunction suspending enforcement of the policy until the Federal Court could rule on its constitutionality..Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc first announced the vaccine program for federal employees August 13 without detailing enforcement measures..“What will happen to federal employees who choose not to be vaccinated?” asked a reporter..“We’re not focused on those questions,” replied LeBlanc..Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer, on October 1 said enforcement appeared complex..“It’s a complicated program to roll out and then there also have to be arrangements for testing for those who can’t get the vaccine,” said Tam..Cabinet had threatened unvaccinated staff with loss of pay and benefits or outright firing, but an internal memo said no federal employee would lose their job over COVID-19 rules..“Will an employee on leave without pay eventually have their employment terminated if they continue to be unwilling to be vaccinated?” asked an October 8 memo..“The current policy on vaccination does not consider termination of employment or a specific end date to leave without pay.”
Lawyers for 201 federal employees are in Federal Court on Monday challenging government orders to reveal their vaccination status, says Blacklock’s Reporter..No federal judge has yet ruled on whether the November 15 order from the Treasury Board is constitutional..“They refuse to be vaccinated for reasons that vary,” wrote Justice Simon Fothergill..“They say their rights at common law and pursuant to the Charter Of Rights And Freedoms are infringed by the vaccination policy in a manner that cannot be justified.”.The Treasury Board required some 280,000 employees in “core administration” to prove they had COVID-19 shots or request an exemption for medical or religious reasons. About 98%, a total of 271,321 affected workers, are vaccinated. The board counted 1.6% or 4,662 who requested waivers, refused a vaccine or would not disclose their medical history on privacy grounds..“The vaccination policy does not permit mandatory testing as an alternative to those who simply do not wish to be vaccinated or who do not consent to disclosing their vaccination status to their employers,” wrote Fothergill..The 201 plaintiffs unsuccessfully sought an injunction suspending enforcement of the policy until the Federal Court could rule on its constitutionality..Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc first announced the vaccine program for federal employees August 13 without detailing enforcement measures..“What will happen to federal employees who choose not to be vaccinated?” asked a reporter..“We’re not focused on those questions,” replied LeBlanc..Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer, on October 1 said enforcement appeared complex..“It’s a complicated program to roll out and then there also have to be arrangements for testing for those who can’t get the vaccine,” said Tam..Cabinet had threatened unvaccinated staff with loss of pay and benefits or outright firing, but an internal memo said no federal employee would lose their job over COVID-19 rules..“Will an employee on leave without pay eventually have their employment terminated if they continue to be unwilling to be vaccinated?” asked an October 8 memo..“The current policy on vaccination does not consider termination of employment or a specific end date to leave without pay.”
