University students, faculty and staff want B.C. to do more to prevent COVID-19 transmission in classrooms this fall
Student, staff and faculty unions from several B.C. universities have signed onto an open letter asking the provincial government to implement stronger public health measures before in-person classes resume in the fall.
The letter, which is addressed to B.C.'s Minister of Advanced Education Anne Kang, calls for the ministry to revise its return-to-campus guidelines to require improved ventilation, masks in indoor settings and physical distancing in classrooms, among other things.
“The BC COVID-19 Return-to-Campus guidelines are not consistent with the best-available evidence and disregard the layers of protection that could prevent COVID-19 transmission in post-secondary environments," said Katie Gravestock, chief steward of the Teaching Support Staff Union at Simon Fraser University, in a news release.
"We are requesting that the Ministry publish new guidelines that correct these deficiencies so that students, teaching and support staff, and faculty have safer places of work and learning."
The TSSU initiated the letter, but several other unions endorsed its contents, including the CUPE 3338 Executive Committee at SFU, the Simon Fraser Student Society Executive Committee, the University of Victoria Faculty Association Executive Committee, the CUPE 4163 Executive Committee at UVic and the CUPE 2278 Executive Committee, which serves the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia.
Last month, UBC's Alma Mater Society issued a similar letter calling for mandatory vaccinations and masks in classrooms.
Asked about that letter, UBC's director of university affairs, Matthew Ramsey, told CTV News Vancouver that post-secondary institutions had been advised not to introduce their own COVID-19-related measures, and instead follow the guidance of provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
On Thursday, Henry was asked about the latest letter from the unions. She told reporters at a news conference that she had seen the letter and that her office has been "working very closely" with colleges and universities on this issue.
"There are many important points that we are addressing," Henry said. "There are some that we'll need to continue to work with them on, but these are ongoing discussions."
The provincial health officer said mandatory immunization for students living on campus - which the UBC Alma Mater Society has advocated for, but the unions' letter does not directly request - is "not a simple question."
"I think what is critical, and I've said this repeatedly, is that we're not denying people an education because of their immunization status," Henry said.
"There needs to be provisions for people who cannot be immunized, even though they may be a small number of people, and provisions for what we're going to do in (university) settings when we have increased community transmission, which is going to happen in certain communities over this next fall," she added. "We are looking at all of the different factors that need to be accounted for."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.