Toronto District School Board reveals details of new mandatory vaccine policy
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has laid out exactly how it will implement its new mandatory vaccination policy.
The school board released an 11-page document Tuesday evening, titled ‘COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccine Procedure,’ revealing key dates, disciplinary measures and exemption protocols for its new policy.
The policy applies to all school board employees, including daily and long-term occasional teachers and casual education workers, school board trustees and student transportation drivers.
According to the document, all TDSB employees were required to disclose their vaccination status by Sept. 7th. They now have until Nov. 1 to have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The TDSB said roughly 94 per cent of staff responded to the survey and of those who did respond, about 83 per cent indicated that they had been fully vaccinated.
Until Nov. 1, those who are not yet fully vaccinated will have to comply with regular COVID-19 testing and provide proof of a negative result to attend a TDSB workplace. The tests will be provided to individuals at no cost, the board says.
Staff who are not fully vaccinated or who have not disclosed their vaccination status must complete a mandatory education program supplied by the Ontario government no later than two weeks after the TDSB provides access to the program.
The education program will be provided as a video by the Ministry of Education. Staff will be required to review the video outside of working hours.
Staff undergoing the education program are still required to meet the full vaccination requirement by Nov. 1, says the board.
This policy also extends to those who visit board premises frequently, such as students on educational placements, individuals on internships, co-op placements, or apprenticeship programs, volunteers, permit holders and contractors, those who provide professional services to children at school and “other members of organizations not related to the board but who nevertheless work on or are invited onto board premises,” says the board.
The school board says it will provide exemptions on the basis of medical, disability or religious reasons.
“An employee who is requesting an exemption on the basis of a medical condition must provide the Board’s Disability Management Office with a letter from a licenced physician or registered nurse practitioner ... clearly stating the reason why the individual should be exempted from receiving a vaccine, and duration of such exemption,” the document reads.
A specific diagnosis or disclosure of a medical condition is not required except under “exceptional circumstances or where necessary in order to provide accommodation,” says the board.
According to the document, this letter must have been provided before Sept. 7 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Those who fail to comply with the new protocol may be subject to “administrative or disciplinary action, up to and including termination from their employment,” says the board.
Toronto District School Board Director of Education, Colleen Russell-Rawlins, took to social media Tuesday evening to address the new protocols.
“While we recognize that deciding to be vaccinated is a deeply personal one, by reducing the number of positive COVID-19 cases introduced into our schools, we are better able to protect our school communities and ensure fewer disruptions to student learning and well-being,” Russell-Rawlins wrote.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
'Ready to go': Fort McMurray residents prepared for evacuation as crews battle nearby wildfire
An evacuation alert remains in place in the Fort McMurray area on Monday afternoon.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.