Vaccine mandates for school staff: Here's a quick look at the province's guidance for B.C. boards
Ignoring calls from a union representing B.C. teachers, the province is sticking to its plan for vaccine mandates to be put in place at the district level, issuing guidelines directed to school boards thinking about imposing such requirements.
Organizations including the B.C. Teachers' Federation have been critical of the decision, suggesting mandates should be issued by the NDP government for consistency across the province.
But officials say that it's up to employers to put in place any rules around vaccinations. After weeks of questions and public criticism, the government agreed to offer guidance to boards, though there will be no province-wide mandates imposed at this time.
The Ministry of Education said in a news release that the guidelines, released Friday, were created following consultation with the BCTF, as well as the B.C. School Trustees Association, Canadian Union of Public Employees, the First Nations Education Steering Committee and others, as well as the provincial health officer.
The nine-page document of guidelines geared to K-12 school boards suggest those considering a mandate follow the below "roadmap" to creating a custom policy:
- Gather data on the number of staff currently unvaccinated, while taking into account existing privacy rules.
- Seek legal advice, and consult with medical health officers.
- Conduct a larger consultation involving First Nations, employee groups and the school district community, including parent advisory committees.
- Make a decision, and announce it.
- Put the plan in action, using some tool to assess proof of vaccination.
The guidelines posted online contain further details on each step, and say the goal of such mandates, if they are put in place, should be on reducing the impact of COVID-19 on in-class learning, and prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff.
The full document is available online.
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.