ASAP
Canada Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Employees in Federal Public Service and Federally Regulated Transportation Sector
On August 13, 2021, Canada announced that, as early as the end of September, it will require COVID-19 vaccination across the federal public service.1 Accommodations or alternative measures (e.g., testing or screening) for the few unable to be vaccinated, may be determined in each situation.
Canada’s announcement also provides that as soon as possible in the fall and no later than the end of October, it will require employees in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors to be vaccinated.2 The vaccination requirement will also extend to commercial air travellers, and passengers on interprovincial trains and large marine vessels with overnight accommodations (e.g., cruises).
Finally, the announcement indicates that Canada “expects that Crown corporations3 and other employers in the federally regulated sector4 will also require vaccination for their employees,” and that it “will work with these employers to ensure this result.”
Canada’s announcement does not provide implementation details, but suggests that such details will be communicated when determined.
Legislation or regulations reflecting Canada’s announcement have not yet been released.
Bottom Line for Employers
Federal public service employers, and employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors, are encouraged to be alert to the release of legislation or regulations that flesh out the details of the recently announced vaccination requirement. We will be following such developments as they occur, and we will report on them, as appropriate.
