Victoria, BC– Today, to protect the health and safety of our staff, our workplaces, and the public we serve, and to support the efforts of the Province of BC in the fight against the pandemic, the Capital Regional District (CRD) announced it will be making COVID-19 vaccination a requirement for its 1,100 employees.
“Throughout the pandemic, the CRD has aligned its response to support the overall provincial pandemic response and has continued to deliver critical and essential services to the Region, such as drinking water, waste management, social housing, regional parks, and emergency management,” says Bob Lapham, Chief Administrative Officer. “The CRD has, and continues, to strongly encourage all of its staff to be vaccinated. While we are confident that the overall vast majority of staff are vaccinated, implementing a vaccination policy at this time is one additional measure to ensure our workplaces, our staff, and our public are as safe as possible.”
By December 13, 2021, CRD employees and volunteers will be required to prove of their vaccination status with their BC Vaccine Card to confirm they are fully vaccinated.
The December 13 timeline was chosen because it allows sufficient time for employees who have not yet received their first dose of vaccine to be fully vaccinated. Refusing to comply with the proof of vaccination policy by December 13 may lead to employment consequences which could include the cessation of employment.
Accommodations will be made for the few employees who are unable to be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492