TDSB to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for staff, trustees and visitors
Canada’s largest public school board has voted unanimously to make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for staff, trustees and visitors.
The Toronto District School Board made the announcement on Thursday morning, saying its trustees voted in favour of a mandatory policy at last night’s school board meeting.
The school board says it’s now in the hands of TDSB staff to come up with a plan on how it will work. Staff will develop a procedure for all workers, trustees, and visitors. They all must be fully vaccinated, and will be required to disclose and provide proof of their vaccination status.
“Staff will now have to develop this procedure and the key word is mandatory, it would apply to not only TDSB staff but trustees and visitors,” TDSB Spokesperson Ryan Bird said Thursday morning.
“They would be required to not only disclose and provide proof of vaccination, but then upload potentially the certificate that you receive upon that second dose.”
The board says it aims to have the procedure implemented prior to schools reopening on Sept. 9.
It is not yet clear what will happen to people who refuse vaccination, but Bird said that staff will establish those details in the upcoming plan, which is currently being worked on.
“We received this direction from trustees just last night, and now the procedure has to be developed,” Bird said. “There are legal implications, there are staffing implications, there are a number of implications so depending on that … that’s what staff are looking at.”
He said staff are also working on what information will be publically available on the vaccination status of TDSB workers, and the role of COVID-19 testing in the plan.
The Ontario government has previously said that it would enact a policy that would require educational workers to either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or participate in a regular rapid testing program, however, schools boards are able to decide how they would like to enforce their own mandatory vaccination policy.
The school board noted in a news release on Thursday that people who are not vaccinated would be required first to attend a mandatory education session on the benefits of the vaccine.
“[The plan will address] a schedule for dates by which point any unvaccinated individuals must disclose if they have received first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccines,” the release stated. “TDSB will comply with its human rights obligations and accommodate employees who are legally entitled to accommodation.”
The new rules will apply to all visitors, including parents wanting to enter the school buildings. Last year, due to the pandemic, parents were not allowed to enter schools at all.
“The data is clear — being fully vaccinated significantly reduces the risks of the most serious outcomes of COVID-19,” TDSB Chair Alexander Brown said.
This is an important step to ensure we are making our schools and workplaces as safe as possible for staff and students — particularly younger students who are not eligible to receive the vaccine.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.