We continue to work on having the mandatory vaccine policy revisited and rescinded here in Orangeville. I have requested a motion be put forward by a Councillor to debate and consider this policy again. It must be put forward by a Councillor who initially voted for this policy. I am still waiting to hear if and when that will be on Council's agenda from this individual.
I have also sent a last request to Ed Brennan, CAO of Orangeville. See below the letter and his reply. Our work continues.
Dear Mr. Brennan,
This is going to be my last request to you regarding the Town of Orangeville Staff Vaccine policy that you put into place in October 2021, or thereabouts.
I have thoughtfully, respectfully and knowledgeably asked appropriate questions regarding your policy and requested further evidence and clarification as needed from your excellent staff and Town Council.
I, and many other residents of the Town, continue to have serious concerns regarding the current Town mandatory vaccine policy(s) for staff, volunteers, etc.
1. Mandatory vaccination of staff, contractors etc. does not improve workplace safety. My previous letters, attached to the agenda's of Jan 11 and Feb 14, 22 Council meetings provide the rationale and evidence for this statement. To support this assertion, Dr. Kieran Moore said last week that he thinks the period of highest COVID-19 risk is over and that means workplace vaccination policies are “no longer necessary” and recommended that they be removed by March 1 — the same day the province’s proof-of-vaccination system is lifted.
2. The mandatory vaccination policy violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of Canada, numerous employment laws, the EDI mission statement of the Town of Orangeville, the tenets of informed medical consent through coercion of a medical intervention and certainly other ethical standards and Acts or laws.
3. There already are extra costs to the Taxpayers of Orangeville due to lawsuits that are currently, and in the future, being filed against the Town specific to this policy and additional costs in hiring/ training new staff replacing those that did not meet the policy requirements.
I have done all I can, as a local and concerned resident, to bring these issues repeatedly to your and Council's attention. My continued efforts and recommendations are supported by hundreds of residents of the Town of Orangeville.
In closing, I would appreciate measurable and specific answers to my 3 questions:
1. Will you, as CAO, be rescinding the current mandatory vaccination policy for the staff, contractors for the Town of Orangeville? If yes, when?
2. Will you formally recommend to the Town Council to rescind their current mandatory vaccine policy for volunteers, committee members etc?
3. If not, can you give me a date as to when your policy, and if possible the Town council's policy too, will be reviewed and or debated in the future?
The answers you will provide to my questions will affect my next steps in the continued fight against this policy, so I would greatly appreciate a reply by March 9th.
With thanks for your time and attention, respectfully yours,
Peggy Bond
Reply from our CAO:
Dear Ms. Bond,
Thank you for your email and inquiries about the Town’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policies.
We take the safety of our workplace seriously and concluded that these policies are an important tool in keeping a safe and healthy workplace. COVID-19 continues to be a public health concern in our community. As such, the Town’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policies will stay in place at this point in time. We will be reassessing the ongoing need for these policies on a regular basis and will make changes as we deem appropriate.
Best Regards,
Ed
Ed Brennan | Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Orangeville | 87 Broadway | Orangeville, ON L9W 1K1
519-941-0440 Ext. 2243 | Toll Free 1-866-941-0440 Ext. 2243 | Cell: 519-278-0540
ebrennan@orangeville.ca | www.orangeville.ca