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
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.