Oxford County to implement vaccine mandate for staff, but not without opposition from Woodstock mayor
Oxford County has become the latest area government to endorse a vaccine mandate for staff, but it didn’t come without major resistance from the mayor of Oxford’s largest municipality.
Woodstock Mayor Trevor Birtch was the lone voice speaking out against the vaccine mandate for all county staff, calling it “forced inoculation.”
He told a meeting of Oxford County Council such a mandate infringes on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that “so many of our bloodlines have fought for.”
Birtch also warned of potential legal challenges.
“It’s time for us to not rush into something where we could face potential legal challenges that could cost the taxpayer dollars, but more importantly cost citizens that ability of choice.”
The resolution, which passed 7-1, mandates that all staff, councillors, contractors and volunteers provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Zorra Township Mayor Marcus Ryan, who filed the motion, says it makes county workplaces safer.
“When we choose to make a policy like this, to ask our staff to make a choice to be vaccinated — not choosing to do that means asking other employees to come to work in a workplace where there is a higher chance of them catching a disease.”
Those unvaccinated will have to complete mandatory vaccine education, and submit to regular testing.
But that’s only for the short term according to Ryan. He says county staff need time to come up with a firm date for the full mandate to take effect.
“The intention was to have our staff have the opportunity to work with employees and get them to a place where they’re vaccinated.”
The medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health, Dr. Joyce Lock, says she supports the county’s move.
“The most important thing is that if we can increase vaccine coverage we’ll be able to control the fourth wave better than when we had lower vaccine rates. So I very much endorse this move by Oxford County.”
As part of the resolution member municipalities in Oxford are also being encouraged to develop similar vaccine policies because of the overlap of staff throughout the county.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.