CENTRE WELLINGTON - 18 people are set to delegate regarding the township’s current COVID-19 vaccine verification policy for staff and volunteers.
“This is probably the first time we’ve had so many professionals from different areas weigh in on a matter to support a notice of motion brought by council,” said Coun. Steven VanLeeuwen.
At Monday’s council meeting, VanLeeuwen’s notice of motion regarding the current COVID-19 vaccine policy, which he gave to council at Nov. 29’s meeting, will be discussed among the council.
Township CAO previously implemented general workplace health and safety measures including daily health screening, masking, physical distancing, hand hygiene and enhanced cleaning.
Recently, the CAO has recently implemented a new COVID-19 vaccine verification program which states that “all new or rehired Township of Centre Wellington employees, including returning seasonal and student employees, are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of being hired or rehired by the Township of Centre Wellington”.
This policy applies to all new and rehired township employees, volunteers, students and contractors.
VanLeeuwen asks council to direct the CAO to remove the COVID-19 vaccine verification program as he indicates that public health authorities have acknowledged that the COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission of the virus.
In his notice of motion, VanLeeuwen has also stated myriad of reasons as to why the vaccine verification program should be removed:
- COVID-19 vaccines do not confer sterilizing immunity;
- Studies have demonstrated that vaccinated individuals can carry the same viral loads in the nose and upper airways as unvaccinated individuals, but may not show symptoms meaning that both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated persons are able to spread the virus at the workplace;
- Publicly available data has revealed that COVID-19 vaccines have caused a significantly higher incidence of injuries, adverse reactions and deaths than any prior vaccines;
- The use of coercion through a policy of mandatory vaccination as a condition to employment is contrary to the law of informed consent;
- The ability to freely decide whether to accept or refuse medical treatment is a fundamental right protected by sections 2(a), 7 and 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Eighteen delegates, such as Sonya Anderson from Canadian COVID Care Alliance, Niel Karrow, professor of immunology at University of Guelph, Western professor Julie Ponesse and local residents will be speaking in support of the removal of the policy.
A letter from Dr. Nicola Mercer, an opposing view on the notice of motion which states that clinical trials have proven COVID-19 vaccines have proven to have low risks and few or milf symptoms of the virus, will also be presented to council.
Mercer stated in her letter that in her expert opinion, the notice of motion does not meet the basic scientific rigour reflected in the current scientific consensus on the COVID-19 virus, its prevention and treatment.
“We can present a lot of medical and professional advice, but we still tend to listen to someone from an authority position who only says, ‘just listen’ or ‘I have a feeling’, and I find that very disappointing," said VanLeeuwen.
"We make all these laws and rules based on someone who says ‘I have a feeling’ or ‘I’m concerned’ and we go into shut down without listening to the other side. Science is all about balance and comparing sides and then making those policies based on that.”
