The number of City of Toronto employees who are providing proof of vaccination continues to climb.
Since Sunday evening, 168 more employees have submitted their vaccination status and 305 more employees are now fully vaccinated. Overall, 99 per cent of the active workforce has declared their status and 94 per cent – more than 30,000 City of Toronto employees – are fully vaccinated.
As of Thursday, November 4, the vaccination declaration information for active City staff is:
This week, City of Toronto managers and supervisors began holding meetings with staff who were not compliant with the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. The meetings taking place this week and next week focus on staff who have not received any doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or have not disclosed their vaccination status.
Following the meeting with the manager or supervisor, staff determined not compliant with the policy are placed on suspension for a maximum of six weeks. After the period of unpaid suspension, starting on Monday, December 13, staff members who do not provide proof of receiving both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, will have their employment terminated for cause, as they will have chosen not to comply with the vaccination policy.
At this time, 248 staff have been placed on unpaid suspension for non-compliance with the policy, and an additional 51 staff have been placed on leave of absence pending review of an accommodation request.
The City does not anticipate impacts to critical and priority services. Emergency response by Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services or Toronto Paramedic Services will not be impacted as a result of the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
As the largest employer in Toronto, the City has taken a leadership role in making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for its workforce and is meeting its obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable to protect employees from workplace hazards, including COVID-19.
The City will continue to comply with its human rights obligations. Staff who are not able to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine under a protected ground set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code, will be entitled to accommodation.
The City’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy is available online.
Quotes:
“More than 30,000 City of Toronto employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The vast majority of employees have done the right thing to protect themselves and the health and safety of their colleagues. I continue to urge all City employees and all Toronto residents to get vaccinated – it is safe and it is the best way to protect the progress we have made fighting this pandemic. As we continue to deal with this pandemic, the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy is one important step that we took to help protect the health and safety of all City employees, their families, and our residents.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The City continues to see an increasing number of employees – more than 300 this week – coming into compliance with the policy and that is good news. We will continue to communicate the importance of this policy, as well as the efficacy of the vaccine in hopes that every employee of the City gets vaccinated.”
– Chris Murray, City Manager
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.