City of Vancouver Says Staff Must Be Vaccinated, But Order Doesn’t Cover Councilors

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While the City of Vancouver is telling all staff to get vaccinated by Dec. 6, elected officials are not included in the order.

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On Tuesday, councilors insisted that there is no double standard.

Coun. Pete Fry said a vaccination mandate would be a “moot point” as all council members have voluntarily disclosed that they are fully vaccinated. “We could consider a motion, but that seems unnecessary.”

Instead, the council issued a public statement explaining that all council members are vaccinated and support vaccination.

“All council members want to assure members of the public that they are voluntarily following the intent of the policy,” the statement said.

Coun. Jean Swanson blamed a “legal error” for the discrepancy. “I certainly think that if the staff has to be, the council should be, too,” he said.

In a statement, the city of Vancouver said the vaccination policy does not apply to elected officials as there are different legal considerations. “If city councilors, or park board commissioners, wanted to impose such a policy on themselves, the city believes that it is best for them to pass and adopt their own policy.”

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At least two other Metro Vancouver municipalities are considering just that.

A vaccine mandate for city staff is under “active consideration” in the City of Burnaby, spokesman Chris Bryan said. “If we follow a mandatory vaccination policy, it would apply to city council members as well.”

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said his council will consider the matter at its meeting Monday after discussing it at a closed-door committee meeting earlier this week. He said personally a vaccine order that covers both staff and elected officials. “I don’t see any reason why the mayor and the council are different.”

In Surrey, staff are evaluating the merits of a mandatory vaccination policy, said Jeff Arason, director of strategic initiatives and corporate reporting. A voluntary staff survey conducted in September revealed that 95% of staff are fully vaccinated or had received a dose.

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Coun. Linda Annis told Postmedia that she would support a policy that covers both staff and board.

But at least one Metro Vancouver city councilman is speaking out against mandatory vaccination policies.

Pitt Meadows Coun. Anena Simpson called the vaccination requirements “completely wrong.”

Since making her views known at a recent board meeting, she said she has been “inundated” with calls, including one from a single mother with a young child who is afraid of losing her job and a business owner who he doesn’t want to be boycotted. .

“The way this group of people is treated is terrible,” he said. “They are being villainous and dehumanized. In times of fear, people look for a scapegoat and will use it to justify anything. I’m very worried “.

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Simpson said people are being coerced into putting something on their bodies for fear of losing their livelihoods.

In a statement following Monday’s announcement, Vancouver c Ity manager Paul Mochrie said the vaccination policy will provide exemptions for people with a “protected legal basis,” such as for medical or other reasons under the British Columbia Human Rights Code.

The provincial health official has already established an obligation for hospital or long-term care workers to be fully vaccinated, but Dr. Bonnie Henry does not have the authority to give orders in unsanitary workplaces.

However, at your suggestion, BC Hydro ordered vaccination for all its workers at the Site C dam project, while BC Ferries will require it for workers, but not for passengers.

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The City of Vancouver’s announcement, the first for a municipality in British Columbia, is aligned with the already announced rules for federal and provincial workers.

The Vancouver Police, although paid for by the city, report to the Vancouver Police Board and are therefore not included in the mandate. However, the city order applies to park board staff.

Spokesperson for VPD Const. Tania Visintin said the department is aware of the “current climate” and is “working on our policy.”

With Postmedia files

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