The Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) is encouraging the Government of Alberta and individual school boards to introduce COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
“The best way to support student safety at a time when so many students cannot be vaccinated is to ensure that the adults around them are vaccinated. We cannot mandate vaccination for our members so we are making it clear that we believe those who can like the Government of Alberta or individual school boards, should,” said ATA President, Jason Schilling.
The ATA has received legal advice that speaks to the conditions required for a reasonable vaccine mandate.
The conditions ensure that mandates are temporary and reviewable, that reasonable accommodations are available, and that noncompliance is handled in a way that is non-disciplinary but still protects school safety.
The policy statement released provides school boards with information about how to develop mandates that would comply with ATA legal advice.
The ATA does not anticipate providing support to members wishing to challenge vaccine mandates that meet the criteria released.
“We will not be part of opposing or challenging vaccine mandates, so long as the policies are reasonable. School boards will have to ensure that employee privacy is respected as much as possible and personal information will have to be stored securely, but this is an area where a balancing of rights and responsibilities is warranted,” Schilling said.
The new policy statement is consistent with pre-existing ATA policy on vaccinations previously approved by the ATA’s annual representative assembly, Schilling added.
The association has also introduced directives that mandate proof of vaccination requirements for anyone to attend any in-person events organized by the ATA or any of its subgroups.
