'Core' federal public servants have to attest to being fully vaccinated by Oct. 29

'Core' federal public servants will have to attest to being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 29 or face being put on leave without pay by Nov. 15, the federal government is announcing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland are outlining the details of the new mandate, which will apply whether employees work remotely or from the office.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland are outlining the details of the new mandate, which will apply whether employees work remotely or from the office, and if they work outside of Canada. 

There will be exemptions made for “certified medical contraindications,” as well as for religious reasons. Though these accommodations will only be granted under certain parameters, including providing documented proof of the requirement for the exemption, according to senior government officials briefing reporters on the policy on a not-for-attribution basis, ahead of Trudeau’s announcement.

The mandatory vaccination policy includes the RCMP, but excludes staff at several public-facing service departments including Service Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada, and the Canada Revenue Agency. The new rules also do not apply to members of the Canadian Armed Forces or “locally-engaged staff” posted abroad.

Officials suggested that while the policy does not extend to force all employees in federally-regulated workplaces to get vaccinated, the government is asking them to follow suit.