Some B.C. parents say province is passing the buck on vaccine mandates

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Even though teachers are not required to be vaccinated in British Columbia under provincial regulations, the education minister says their employers have the authority to make immunization mandatory.

Jennifer Whiteside notes each of the province’s 60 school boards is the direct employer of the teachers.

“We want to support school boards in their decision-making process as employers around that,” she said.

After roughly 30,000 government employees in B.C. were ordered to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 22, Whiteside says it proves school boards can make their decisions around COVID approached without the province.

“I think folks know that … K to 12 employees are not employed directly by the provincial government and therefore not covered by the provisions that were introduced for the public service a couple of days ago,” she said. “However, we understand that boards would need to be supported in their decision-making process around us.”

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The BC Teachers’ Federation President Teri Mooring has repeatedly said the union will not oppose a mandatory vaccine policy, so long as it includes accommodations for members who have a valid exemption. However, the union has not actively advocated for such a policy.

The provincial government is putting together a committee to discuss whether a province-wide vaccine mandate could be rolled out, but there are few details on when or how this will work.

Parents call out the province

Many parents say this is simply passing the buck, and the province needs to act now instead of putting the responsibility on the local level.

Some have taken to social media to express their frustrations.

“Passing the buck is an understatement. Pho has been saying vaccines are the answer for months so make them mandatory,” wrote one person.

Twitter user Bree Cropper writes, “Super disappointed that the PHO and BC government is offloading responsibility for this to the 60 School Boards. This will create a 2 tier safety protocol system throughout the province with too many areas opting out!”

Super disappointed that the PHO and BC government is offloading responsibility for this to the 60 individual School Boards. This will create a 2 tier safety protocol system throughout the province with too many areas opting out!

— BreeCropper (@CropperBree) October 6, 2021

Another comment suggests the move could hurt, not help, the fight against COVID-19.

“The Education Minister should be taking point on this by implementing the mandate across BC and not leave it to individual school boards which could mean some will not follow suit and will defeat the purpose which is to control the spread of COVID-19,” John Hillier wrote Thursday.

The Education Minister should be taking point on this by implementing the mandate across BC and not leave it to individual school boards which could mean some will not follow suit and will defeat the purpose which is to control the spread of COVID-19 ???? pic.twitter.com/BIjH0jt8sI

— John Hillier (@JohnMHillier) October 7, 2021

Another person suggests one school district could mandate vaccines, but another may not, causing difficulties when kids play together.

We need to start talking about all the other times kids are mingling . How do you think it is moving from school to school. I bet there are tons of minor sports tournaments this weekend. Families are going to travel to other towns, mingle, then go to school on Tuesday

— momoftwo (@momoftwoteenz) October 7, 2021