The federal government announced that it will suspend the Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration (CPA) Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“vaccination requirements”) for employees of the federal government and federally regulated transportation sectors on June 20, 2022. The vaccination requirements had been in place since October 6, 2021.
As a result of the suspended vaccine mandate, employees in the following sectors are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment:
- core federal public service;
- federally regulated workplaces, such as Crown corporations, banks, transport, air, rail, and marine sectors; and
- supplier personnel that access federal government workplaces.
However, the vaccination requirements will not be suspended for employees that serve on the crew of cruise ships.
Further, those employees that were placed on administrative leave without pay for noncompliance with vaccination requirements will be permitted to return to work. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat stated that those who have been placed on such administrative leave will be contacted by their managers to resume their regular duties with pay.
The federal government also announced it will no longer move forward with proposed regulations under Part II (Occupational Health and Safety) of the Canada Labour Code to mandate vaccination in all federally regulated workplaces.
We will continue to monitor for any news related to COVID-19, and will promptly post about any updates that are relevant to employers.