Calgary Police Association head not sure about mandatory vaccines
Posted Aug 26, 2021 9:07 am.
Last Updated Aug 26, 2021 9:13 am.
CALGARY – The head of the Calgary Police Association says he personally would be opposed to forcefully vaccinating people or firing them for making personal health decisions but it’s early going yet on this issue.
On Wednesday, Calgary’s police chief, Mark Neufeld, said the force is currently exploring the best way to keep its staff and the public safe when it comes to COVID-19.
Neufeld says mandatory vaccines aren’t off the table.
READ MORE: Calgary police exploring idea of mandatory vaccines for officers
John Orr says it’s tough to get a legal opinion when you don’t know what policy might be proposed.
“I am fully vaccinated, as is my entire family. Personally, I see it as the best way out of this pandemic for the community. That being said, this comes down to a legal question of whether or not the employer can impose their decision making on their employees when it comes to medical health,” he said.
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“I would say that I would be opposed to forcefully vaccinating somebody or to firing people for making personal health decisions. So, again, it’s going to come down to what the policy says, what the consequences for non-compliance are, and all of those things.”
He says some Calgary officers are concerned, for various reasons, about the requirement happening here.
“There’s debate amongst members, there’s some who believe that mandatory vaccines are a good thing there are others who are adamantly opposed,” he said.
