Frontline municipal workers in Thunder Bay may be required to get their COVID-19 vaccines.
Mayor Bill Mauro presented his motion at Monday’s council meeting, which directs administration to prepare a report on establishing a vaccine policy for city employees.
“This is all just for us to have a little clarity in terms of what we’re going to do,” says Mauro. “I think it’s also timely because with Delta circulating. Delta much more highly transmissible and infectious than previous variants, and as we exit summer and begin fall and more indoor gatherings will occur, there is the possibility of seeing our numbers spike again, not just of course in Thunder Bay, but provincially, nationally and internationally.”
Mauro stressed he was not forcing any details, and said he looked forward to seeing what comes forward through the report.
The conversation switched to the consultation process, with administration stressing the information collected for the report will include discussions with city workers and unions.
Not included in the policy would be city councilors being required to get their vaccines, and it is unclear whether a future decision will alter this.
Administration is bringing forward the report to the Monday, September 13th council meeting.
