by Jim Byers
Last updated: 3:08 PM ET, Wed August 25, 2021
Air Canada today said it has introduced a new health and safety policy to further protect employees and customers that makes it mandatory for all employees of the airline to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to report their vaccination status as of October 30, 2021. In addition, the airline is making full vaccination a condition of employment for any individual hired by the company.
Since the beginning of the pandemic Air Canada has been a leader in the adoption of science-based measures in response to COVID-19. This has included the airline being among the first to require pre-boarding temperature screening of customers, obligatory onboard mask-wearing policies and the use of testing. The decision to require all employees of Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Vacations to be fully vaccinated and report their vaccination status is another initiative to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees and customers.
Under the mandatory vaccination policy, testing will not be offered as an alternative. While Air Canada will fulfill its duties to accommodate employees who for valid reasons, such as medical conditions, cannot be vaccinated, failure to be fully vaccinated by October 30, 2021 will have consequences up to and including unpaid leave or termination, except for those who qualify for accommodation. Air Canada's policy is also in accord with a recent announcement by the Government of Canada requiring employees in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors to be vaccinated by the end of October 2021.
Air Canada remains committed to the continued development and application of new safety measures and processes as they become available that are effective and convenient for customers. Such measures are vital to the safe restart of the air transport industry which, apart from enabling Canadians to travel freely, is also an essential driver of economic activity in Canada. For more information on Air Canada's programs and policies to safeguard customers and employees from COVID-19, please visit Air Canada's Travel Ready Hub at www.aircanada.com.
Porter Airlines last week announced a similar move.
Asked for comment, WestJet officials referred TravelPulse Canada to a statement they issued earlier this month on their website.
"We continue to be a strong partner in Canada's vaccination rollout and are working diligently to implement the government's policy on mandatory vaccines for airline employees," Mark Porter, WestJet Executive Vice-President, People and Culture, said in the website posting. Vaccinations are the most effective way to ensure the safety of our guests and employees, while curbing the spread of COVID-19."
"We understand our people will have questions and will be discussing with our employee and labour groups in real-time," he said.
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