Dear Colleagues. The heads of all the bargaining agents in the federal public service met on August 15, 2021 to discuss the unexpected announcement on August 13, 2021 of the new vaccination requirement for public service employees returning to the workplace. As you may have seen in the official announcement from DND, which Nathalie Filion-Poitras distributed on the RMC network on the afternoon of August 16, 2021 the employer is still figuring out how this policy will be implemented, and consultation with the bargaining agents has only begun.

Two key takeaways from that meeting are: 1) Nobody will be forced to be vaccinated; the government does not have the right to force anyone to be vaccinated. 2) However, the employer does have the right to require proof of vaccination for employees entering the workplace, provided reasonable accommodations are in place for those who can’t be vaccinated, such as those who have received medical advice against vaccination. Accommodations for such individuals will likely include telework where possible and, where it isn’t possible, masking, social distancing and a strict testing regime if attendance in the office is required.

We will share additional information as the consultation process unfolds and specifics of the plan are formalized. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the CMCFA Executive with any questions or concerns you may have.

Executive contact information: https://cmcfa-apcmc.ca/en/exec.html

Sincerely, Helen

Helen Luu, PhD President, CMCFA