COVID-19 vaccines not be mandatory for post-secondary classes in Ottawa, but required for uOttawa residence
If you’re heading to a Seneca College campus this fall, you will need to be vaccinated.
The college, with campuses spread across Toronto, York Region and Peterborough, announced that it will make vaccination mandatory for anyone coming on campus as of Sept. 7.
It is Ontario's first post-secondary institution to make vaccination a condition of participating in in-person learning.
“It makes sense for vaccines to be mandatory,” says Sarah LePage, a student at Algonquin College. “I’m fully vaccinated, so I’m not as worried, but because of the course that I’m in, I feel like it should be mandatory because a lot of the guys in the course are out of town.”
As of Tuesday, Ottawa's post secondary schools say they will not be requiring vaccination to attend in-person classes, but at least one school will require them for living in residence.
Algonquin College
In an e-mail statement to CTV News Ottawa, Algonquin College writes in part, “At present, there is no mandatory vaccination required for students or employees who need to be on Algonquin College’s campuses for academic activities, though it is strongly encouraged.”
The statement continues, “However, Algonquin College remains flexible and is continuing to monitor evolving COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and recommendations related to vaccinations.”
Student Jesse McNeely says the college has been handling COVID-19 well so far.
“They’ve had everyone spaced out, everyone wearing masks, you do the sign-in when you come in,” says McNeely, who is attending an intermediate plumbing program with 10 students. “As long as they’re continuing their steps, then I feel pretty safe either way, because we started this program and not everyone was fully vaccinated and I don’t think anyone through the levels has caught COVID, and the numbers are going down.”
Carleton University
When Carleton University welcomes students to a mix of in-person and online learning this fall, vaccination will not be mandatory either, according to an e-mailed statement to CTV News Ottawa.
“Any decision on mandatory vaccination will be made in compliance with recommendations and guidelines from the province and Ottawa Public Health,” the statement said.
The university says they are providing vaccination clinics to faculty, staff and students.
“Health and safety continues to be our top priority and we strongly recommend that all members of the Carleton community get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
Carleton student Robertson Egalité spoke with CTV News Ottawa while on his way to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine.
“Personally, I think it should be optional, because everyone should have the option to take it or not.”
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa did not respond to CTV News Ottawa’s request for comment, but their website indicates that students will not be required to be vaccinated before setting foot on campus.
The university does say, however, that COVID-19 vaccines are mandatory for living in residence.
"You must therefore have received your first dose of a Health Canada-approved vaccine before your move-in date and provide proof of vaccination before moving in," uOttawa's website says.
--With files from CP24’s Web Content Writer, Chris Fox.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
New York City FC coach repeats denial of allegations he punched a Toronto FC player
New York City FC coach Nick Cushing has repeated his denial of allegations that he punched a Toronto FC player, saying he is shocked and upset at the claim.