Ajax working on mandatory vaccination policy for staff; approves vaccination policy for council members

The Town of Ajax has added their voice to the call demanding the Ontario government establish a province-wide proof of vaccination system.

The Doug Ford government is expected to make that call today.

Ajax also unanimously approved a mandatory double vaccination policy for council members at a council meeting yesterday morning. All councillors are expected to show proof of vaccination by September 7.

Council also tasked their Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG) with developing and implementing the Town’s own mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy “to avoid further shutdowns” and to keep the public safe amid a fourth wave of the virus.

“We have a responsibility to protect the public,” Mayor Shawn Collier said, adding that when residents are meeting with front-line staff the public “should have the same expectations.”

“It’s a leadership position we must take.”

When asked if the policy would have an out for staff refusing to get vaccinated and opting for regular testing instead, Collier said that would be determined by the MECG. The Mayor noted that similar opt-outs have been used in policies adopted by companies around the country and have usually led to more vaccinations because the regular testing process proved to be “too cumbersome.”