B.C. school boards now required to record staff COVID-19 vaccination status, ask for proof
After months of complaints from parents, teachers and school boards in British Columbia, it appears a provincial public health order has been issued to somewhat address staff vaccines.
But the province still isn't mandating vaccines for school staff, or imposing guidelines across B.C.'s education system.
An updated public health order shows the provincial government will require employers to keep records of staff vaccination status, and require proof of vaccination.
A document posted online Monday addresses "boards of education, independent school authorities and francophone education authorities," as well as those employed by those bodies.
It outlines that employees addressed in the document must provide their employer with proof of vaccination when requested, and by the date requested. Additionally, if their vaccination status changes, they must provide information and their vaccine card to their employer "without delay," and their employer must update the school's records.
Furthermore, employers must then report the vaccination status of its staff members, but in a way that won't identify the individuals.
The order goes on to say, "When putting in place measures to prevent, mitigate or respond to the spread of infection in a school," employers are to treat anyone who hasn't provided proof of vaccination as being unvaccinated.
It does not elaborate on what that would mean for those teachers or staff members.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education told CTV News in an email that the new order is meant to support medical health officers, "as they deem necessary, to better protect school communities… in order to more efficiently manage cases and clusters in schools."
The ministry said some boards have already started these surveys of staff.
Teri Mooring with the BC Teachers’ Federation, which represents 45,000 teachers across the province, told CTV News she had not been consulted or notified about the order.
“It’s really unfortunate that this order was basically communicated through social media as opposed to giving all the educational partners a heads up and a bit of an explanation,” said Mooring.
Mooring added that the BCTF has been asking for a province-wide vaccine mandate for some time. Up until now, the province has left vaccination requirements up to school boards. The Delta School District has so far been the only board to implement such mandates. Mooring says part of that process is gathering information about vaccine status, which is exactly what this order is about.
“What’s not clear, is what happens when vaccine status has been determined? Would the medical health officer then issue a vaccine mandate in certain parts of the province," Mooring said.
“It really poses a lot of questions, in an already highly charged atmosphere. We already have teachers and school staff really concerned about the spread of Omicron."
According to the ministry, the order provides a way for the information to be collected if needed for health and safety reasons. It does not mean staff will be fired if they're unvaccinated, unless their school board imposes a vaccination requirement.
The medical health officer would not be the one issuing such a mandate.
Surrey school teacher Lizanne Foster says the order simply ignores the additional safety measures teachers have been asking for this entire pandemic.
“The biggest concern right now from teachers is how many kids are not wearing masks and how many kids have mask exemptions. The government talks about three-ply masks being provided in schools and we haven’t seen that,”
“In Surrey, 97 per cent of teachers are vaccinated. So this focus on vaccination of teachers in the classroom is really baffling to me,” said Foster.
As for the collection of any further information, those decisions would be made by medical health officers in specific regions of the province, the order says.
It is unclear what additional information could be collected or reported. Medical health officers will also be able to impose limitations or conditions in their designated area, the order signed by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reads.
The order has no expiry date, and anyone who fails to comply may face "enforcement action" under the Public Health Act.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.