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
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.