Why aren't COVID-19 vaccinations required for Ottawa police officers?
Ottawa’s police chief says the force’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, which does not require members be vaccinated, is safe for officers and the public.
Unlike federal government and city workers, who could lose their jobs if they aren’t vaccinated, police officers can continue working without getting their shots.
Instead, unvaccinated officers will be required to undergo rapid testing every three days.
The Ottawa Police Service will pay for the tests at designated locations. If officers go elsewhere, they'll have to pay out of pocket.
"Members are expected to make arrangements for testing at OPS identified testing locations. Should members attend a non-OPS identified testing location, such as a pharmacy, the employee will be responsible for the costs," an OPS spokesperson said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
Chief Peter Sloly says the policy was developed in full consultation with Ottawa Public Health.
“It’s in compliance with the municipal standards and provincial standards,” he told reporters on Monday. “We are going to do our very best to keep our members healthy and safe so they keep the city health and safe.”
Ottawa Public Health says in general, it doesn’t provide recommendations to employers regarding mandatory vaccine policies for staff.
“It is the decision of individual organization and businesses to implement a workplace vaccine policy,” OPH said in a statement. “With respect to the Ottawa Police Service, OPH provided information on and the rationale for OPH’s and the city’s mandatory vaccine policies.”
The Toronto Police Service is requiring vaccinations for both uniformed and civilian staff. Any member who isn’t fully vaccinated by Nov. 30 will be place on indefinite unpaid leave.
But the head of Ottawa’s police union says the OPS policy is more fair, and other big employers are going too far in demanding employees get vaccinated.
“Quite frankly, I don’t agree with their policies. I think it was very draconian and heavy-handed,” Matt Skof said. “This is the policy that I think will keep people at work and keep the environment positive as an employer, and productive.”
Medical experts say rapid testing can be effective in keeping staff safe, but it must be done at strict intervals.
“The challenge with COVID is that the incubation period is so small, and it’s asymptomatic spread, that you do have to test pretty often,” said Dr. Doug Manuel, a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
“Even with rapid testing if you look at the models you are going to miss a few people.”
As of Friday, police estimated that more than 83 per cent of its members were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Sloly said fewer than 10 members have contracted COVID-19, and only two of them in the work environment. None have transmitted the virus into the public through their duties, he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.