'This about maintaining a safe workplace,' Barrie mayor supports disciplinary action for unvaccinated staff
One day after the City of Barrie announced its staff must be vaccinated by Sept. 20, its mayor says it is following the example set by many large Canadian employers doing their part in the fight against COVID-19.
"Fundamentally, this is about public health, this about maintaining a safe workplace and continuing to prevent COVID-19 cases in any city facilities as best as we can," says Jeff Lehman.
The mayor says they waited to announce the new policy for city employees to give people an opportunity to get vaccinated during the summer as the province rolled out doses.
City employees identified as high-risk because of their position must be fully vaccinated or face disciplinary action.
In an email to CTV News, the City of Barrie stated, "We will have full compliance from our staff with this policy as we do with all our corporate policies. Right now, the focus is on education and getting the workforce vaccinated. However, employees who chose not to comply with this may be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal."
The mayor says employees who are unwilling or unable to get vaccinated will undergo regular COVID-19 testing.
"For a medical reason or other reasons an individual is not vaccinated, at their expense, they will be able to do rapid testing, and that will be required two days a week," Lehman explains.
Rapid COVID-19 tests can cost around $40 at pharmacies in Barrie.
Employers are legally obligated to ensure a safe workplace, so Lehman says there's no concern about possible legal action. "Those legal opinions are supporting the employers doing exactly what we're doing."
The mayor adds that he, and his neighbouring municipal leaders, are concerned about the Delta variant and transmission, which is fueling the push to get residents vaccinated.
"This is why the vaccinations are so important. You just have to look at the numbers daily, whether it's locally, provincial, or nationally. The people who are becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 are almost all unvaccinated," he concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.