Regina’s public school board votes ‘yes’ on proof of vaccination

The Regina Public School Board is taking another step toward a proof-of-vaccination policy for staff.

On Tuesday night, at a board meeting, the trustees passed a motion for the division to “develop an administrative procedure on proof of vaccination for employees, contractors, board members and others.”

In the preamble, Greg Enion, the division’s director of education, talked about the rules that are being implemented for Crown and government employees and that, in its announcement on Sept. 16, the government is encouraging school divisions to implement something similar.

“In Regina Public Schools, our first responsibility is the health and safety of children and youth. Consistent with this priority and considering COVID-19 case trends, administration recommends developing and implementing a proof of vaccination policy or procedure for Regina Public Schools,” Enion said to the board.

The procedure would cover things like scope and application, process, protocols for those who aren’t vaccinated, protection of privacy, accommodations, and timing. Enion said the administration would also consult with employee groups and put in place human resource staff to implement it.

Nearly all of the trustees voiced support for the motion and voted yes. The only holdout was Elizabeth Strom – she talked about legal ramifications to such a requirement, but also that she wouldn’t want to coerce someone into violating their conscience.

“I don’t think anybody’s saying that they want to argue over the situation that we’re in, but I think the caveat is that we’re taking away a choice from an individual,” said Strom.

The other six trustees approved the motion and so it passed.

There’s no word at this point as to when such a policy would come into effect.