Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Now in Effect for All City Staff

Nov 17, 2021

Following the implementation of the City of Greater Sudbury’s mandatory COVID-19 Employee Vaccination Policy, 96 per cent of employees are fully vaccinated or have received one dose of the vaccine. 

Under the policy, released in September, all employees are required to be fully vaccinated with an accepted vaccine by November 15, unless they have a valid Human Rights Code-based exemption for medical or religious reasons.

“As we continue to see a concerning rise in the number of COVID-19 cases locally, we remain committed to doing all we can to reduce transmission and ease the burden on our health-care system,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “Being fully vaccinated continues to be the best protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant, and I want to thank our employees for doing their part to protect the well-being of our community.”

As of end of day November 15, more than 2,700 employees have provided their vaccination status, with nearly 94 per cent fully vaccinated. Of the remaining City employees, just over two per cent have received a single dose, three per cent are not vaccinated and one per cent have not declared their status. There is currently one approved exemption.

The City has a process in place for individuals who will become fully vaccinated over the next few weeks. Employees who chose not to be vaccinated requested a leave by November 16, in accordance with current policies and/or collective bargaining agreements. The vast majority of these leaves are unpaid. As of November 16, a total of 139 employees are on a leave, and mitigation strategies have been put in place to address these absences. About 60 per cent of employees who are not vaccinated or did not declare their status are part-time/casual workers.

 

With such a high percentage of vaccinated employees, there will be minimal service interruptions to the public.

“We adopted this policy so that people can enter City facilities knowing that we are taking the proper steps to keep them safe and healthy,” said City of Greater Sudbury Chief Administrative Officer Ed Archer. “We join many other public and private-sector organizations across the country in implementing this public health measure, and I am pleased to see the positive response from the vast majority of our employees.”

The policy applies to all City employees, students, members of Council and volunteers at City facilities or workplaces. The policy will also apply to members of Council-appointed committees when these meetings move from virtual to in-person. More details will be provided to members at a later date.

All City facilities continue to follow public health advice as it relates to additional health and safety measures, including wearing masks, self-screening, washing hands and physical distancing.

Effective November 15, the City has also expanded proof of vaccination requirements to include some additional municipal facilities. More details are available here: www.greatersudbury.ca/city-hall/news-and-public-notices/2021/city-introduces-enhanced-vaccination-requirements-at-some-facilities/.

For other COVID-19 updates and information related to City services, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/covid or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

As COVID-19 cases in Greater Sudbury continue to rise at an alarming rate, Public Health Sudbury & Districts recently implemented additional restrictions to reduce virus transmission in the community and relieve mounting pressures on the local health-care system. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.phsd.ca/coronavirus.