As you’ve probably heard by now, the Treasury Board Secretariat has released the final version of its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all federal public servants, including the RCMP.
We encourage you to review the full details of the policy so that you understand how it affects you.
The Prime Minister announced that Crown corporations, agencies, and other employers in the federal public service will be expected to implement mirror policies, but the Treasury Board has clarified that this policy will not immediately apply to them.
As the union representing the scientists who approved the COVID-19 vaccines, PIPSC welcomes all efforts to increase vaccination coverage in Canada. That includes a vaccine policy that makes vaccines more accessible to our members and accommodates legitimate reasons for which an employee may not be vaccinated.
While an employer can’t force employees to get vaccinated, it can encourage vaccination and even make it a condition of work in certain jobs.
The consultation process with the Treasury Board was rushed and unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, we must work with the policy in its current form.
The consequences for non-compliance are very serious. Our primary concern is ensuring that all PIPSC members are in compliance, either by becoming vaccinated or by receiving accommodation in accordance with the policy.
The policy allows for accommodations in a few specific cases:
- a certified medical contraindication
- religion
- another prohibited ground for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act
Here’s what you need to do to comply with the policy:
- If you are not already vaccinated, make an appointment as soon as possible
- Submit your attestation of vaccination as instructed by your department or agency
- If you need accommodation, use the tools provided by your department or agency to request one
If your request for accommodation is unreasonably denied, our employment relations experts will then be able to review your individual case and offer recommendations. Please use this special vaccination help form to request help only after your accommodation request has been denied.
Some of you have expressed privacy concerns about providing your attestation of vaccination or other personal medical information to your employer. We will be diligently monitoring this issue to ensure your personal information is protected.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to ensure all PIPSC members are treated fairly and respectfully.