Trudeau to announce COVID-19 vaccine mandate, will impact federal workers and travel

Trudeau promised in August, just before calling the election, that his Liberal government would make vaccinations mandatory for federal employees.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make good today on his election promise to require all federal employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Trudeau is expected to announce at a news conference this morning a new policy of mandatory vaccinations for employees in federally regulated workplaces.

That will include mandatory vaccinations for anyone wanting to board a plane or a train in Canada.

The policy is expected to go into effect by the end of this month.

Trudeau promised in August, just before calling the election, that his Liberal government would make vaccinations mandatory for federal employees.

Since then, Treasury Board officials have been working out the details including the consequences for workers who refuse to get vaccinated in consultation with the affected unions.

On Tuesday, an executive of one of the unions said a draft policy that’s been circulated would require even federal employees who work from home to be fully vaccinated if they want to keep their jobs.

Stephane Aubry, vice-president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, said the government appears to be leaning toward making vaccination “a condition of employment” that would apply to everyone, regardless of where they work.