Ottawa Community Housing introduces mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for staff, contractors
All staff and contractors with Ottawa Community Housing must be fully vaccinated.
The social housing provider has announced "the required COVID-19 vaccination" policy for all staff and contractors working in community housing facilities.
"Starting next week, proactively, employees will be able to disclose their vaccination status," said Mathieu Fleury, Rideau-Vanier Councillor and chair of Ottawa Community Housing.
"We're requiring as an employment condition."
Ottawa Community Housing employs 400 people, along with contractors from various companies in Ottawa.
"We've stayed open through the pandemic. We go into tenants' homes to do repairs and so on, so we want to make sure that we're protected and we protect tenants as well," said Fleury on Newstalk 580 CFRA Ottawa Now with guest host Andrew Pinsent.
Fleury says Ottawa Community Housing is looking at different models to enforce the mandatory vaccination requirements for employees.
"We'll call it a progressive approach," said Fleury, adding OPH is looking at the City of Toronto's approach and consulting with the City of Ottawa.
"There's a human resources side, there's a legal environment to that. Ultimately, we know that the majority are complaint and will self-disclose and that's obviously an employment condition, and the remainder there are a wide range of approaches and options that exist. Ultimately, we want to ensure that our essential workspace remains safe and is complaint."
Mayor Jim Watson directed city staff to develop a COVID-19 vaccination policy for all city of Ottawa employees. City manager Steve Kanellakos told Newstalk 580 CFRA on Thursday that the policy will align with federal and provincial regulations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Donald Trump says he urged Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister in Christmas visit
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump says he told Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky he should run for prime minister during a Christmas visit but adds that the athlete declined interest in politics.
Historical mysteries solved by science in 2024
This year, scientists were able to pull back the curtain on mysteries surrounding figures across history, both known and unknown, to reveal more about their unique stories.
King Charles III focuses Christmas message on healthcare workers in year marked by royal illnesses
King Charles III used his annual Christmas message Wednesday to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for him and the Princess of Wales this year, after both were diagnosed with cancer.
Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
Thousands without power on Christmas as winds, rain continue in B.C. coastal areas
Thousands of people in British Columbia are without power on Christmas Day as ongoing rainfall and strong winds collapse power lines, disrupt travel and toss around holiday decorations.
Ho! Ho! HOLY that's cold! Montreal boogie boarder in Santa suit hits St. Lawrence waters
Montreal body surfer Carlos Hebert-Plante boogie boards all year round, and donned a Santa Claus suit to hit the water on Christmas Day in -14 degree Celsius weather.
Canadian activist accuses Hong Kong of meddling, but is proud of reward for arrest
A Vancouver-based activist is accusing Hong Kong authorities of meddling in Canada’s internal affairs after police in the Chinese territory issued a warrant for his arrest.
New York taxi driver hits 6 pedestrians, 3 taken to hospital, police say
A taxicab hit six pedestrians in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday, police said, with three people — including a 9-year-old boy — transported to hospitals for their injuries.
Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say
An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people onboard crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said.