Seneca College said it will be ending its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students, staff, contractors, and visitors on Dec. 31. .“I'm proud Seneca was a leader across Canada with our comprehensive vaccine policy,” said Seneca President David Agnew in a Monday letter. .“I am proud we have put the health and safety of the Seneca community first throughout the pandemic.” .The letter said people will no longer be required to be vaccinated to enter Seneca's campuses or buildings as of Jan. 1. .Seneca required all students and employees in 2021 to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before coming to campus. .It was the first Ontario post-secondary institution to make vaccination a condition of participating in in-person learning, but a number of universities and colleges said students living in residence had to be vaccinated. .“Should students choose not to be vaccinated, they will need to take a program that is offered either online or in a flexible delivery format,” said Seneca spokeswoman Caroline Grech. .Agnew said Seneca’s vaccine mandate “set an example for the country, because, eventually, we were supported by federal and provincial policies that made vaccinations mandatory in certain circumstances.” .The letter said governments have made it clear through their actions the level of protection people have against COVID-19 is a personal choice. While Seneca’s vaccine mandate will expire by the end of the calendar year, it said its mask mandate will continue until further notice. .Agnew encouraged people to stay up to date with their vaccinations. .“Getting vaccinated remains the best way to avoid serious illness or worse,” he said. .Former Ontario independent MPP Roman Baber called for all barriers of entry to be ended. .“Let everyone go to class,” said Baber. .“Bring everyone back to work.”.The Ontario Superior Court of Justice upheld Seneca’s vaccine mandate on Sept. 12, rejecting an application for an injunction brought by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms on behalf of a few students. .The decision found the policy is legal, enforceable, and does not violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms..“Seneca is pleased the court agreed with our approach to creating safe campuses for our students and employees through a strong vaccination mandate and other COVID-19 health protocols,” said Agnew.
