Western and Eastern Canada post-secondary institutions are taking different approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic..The University of Ottawa announced COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandatory for re-entry onto campus for the fall semester, the first Canadian one to do so..Starting September 1, all students, staff, and even visitors will be required to “attest” to their vaccination status..UOttawa initially said only students living on residence and student athletes would have to prove vaccination status, but fearing a fourth wave, the University’s Executive Committee of the board of governors changed the decision to encompass all members of the campus community..The school said anyone who was unable to receive the vaccine due to “medical grounds or other grounds recognized by the Ontario Human Rights Code” will be able to request an accommodation..UOttawa will also require everyone — even fully vaccinated individuals — to wear masks inside campus buildings..University of Waterloo will be requiring those on campus to self-declare their vaccination status via an online campus check-in program. Fully vaccinated individuals must be so for at least 14 days before entering campus..Non-vaccinated individuals will be required to submit to rapid COVID-19 testing at least twice a week and produce a negative result to remain on campus..Still out East, Western University announced it’s the first university in Canada to require full vaccination for any students living in residence. Students with only one vaccine dose will still be permitted into residence so long as they attain their second dose. Western said they will not be requiring vaccination for actual campus attendance..Queen’s University said it will not be mandating vaccines, but will be making vaccination options openly available, including allowing both local and international students to obtain vaccination on campus..Carleton has specified students participating in “high risk” activities will be required to show proof of receiving their first dose of vaccine no later than September 10, and their second dose no later than October 15..Carleton defined “high risk” activities as “living in residence, engaging in varsity and competitive club sports, and participating in music performance instruction,” though they said this definition could change “as public health recommendations evolve.”.University of Toronto is also requiring vaccination for students participating in “high risk” activities and defines these activities very similarly to Carleton; living in residence, sports, and music performance. They will also be requiring individuals to declare their vaccination status via an online check-in system like Waterloo upon entering campus..Following Carleton and UToronto, McMaster will only be mandating the vaccine for those living in on-campus residence..Finally, Quebec’s two major universities, McGill and Université de Montréal (UdeM), will be requiring masks to be worn by students while seated in class and while circulating throughout campus. Class sizes have been limited to a maximum of 150, and professors are allowed to remove their masks to teach so long as they can maintain a two metre physical distance from all students..Plans to open vaccination clinics at both schools are currently underway, but as of publication vaccines will not be required for the campus community..It would seem the East is taking significantly stronger measures on university campuses than those in the West..University of Saskatchewan is not planning to make COVID-19 vaccinationsâ¯mandatoryâ¯for students, faculty, staff, and others attending our campuses for September 2021.â¯USask will however require masks in “all indoor USask spaces”..University of Calgary said vaccination will not be a mandatory requirement for returning students..It will be opening an on-campus vaccine clinic. Unlike the Quebec schools requiring masks even though the province lifted restrictions, UCalgary has not announced any mask or physical distancing requirements on campus..Mount Royal University will also no longer require masks to be worn in shared and public indoor spaces. MRU’s website says on their website vaccines or vaccine disclosure will not be required..“Personal health information, including vaccination, is confidential.”.The University of Alberta will not be requiring vaccines for campus access saying: “No. At this point, employees, students, contractors and visitors will not need proof of immunization to work or study at the U of A.”.UAlberta said on their website vaccinations will be available on campus, but only for eligible Albertans..Access to UAlberta’s campus will require taking an online safety course on the associated risks of being in public post-pandemic. As of now, the school has also not announced masking requirements..As of August 6, UBC’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses will require masks while in indoor spaces. Vaccinations will not be mandatory as both schools are abiding by the provincial requirements. The student union on both campuses has been pushing for mandatory vaccines..Jackie Conroy is a reporter for the Western Standard.jconroy@westernstandardonline.com
