Canada’s hospitals and clinics are anticipating staff shortages and layoffs as COVID-19 vaccination mandates take effect, with unions pushing Federal and Provincial Governments to soften hard-line stances.
A shortage of workers will strain the already over-burdened health workforce that’s been dealing with nearly two years of the pandemic.
The uncertainty sparked by vaccine mandates underscores the challenges on the road to recovery.
Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of British Columbia, Devon Greyson said officials were steering into uncharted waters and it was not clear how workers would respond.
“We’re in an ethical situation where it’s scary not to ensure that all health workers are vaccinated. So it’s a bit of a Catch-22,” Professor Greyson said.
Provinces, including Quebec and British Columbia, have made it mandatory for healthcare workers and nursing staff to be vaccinated to continue working in their respective fields.
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has also unveiled one of the strictest vaccine mandates in the world, with unvaccinated Federal employees to be sent on unpaid leave and COVID-19 shots made mandatory for air, train and ship passengers.
Layoffs have started to hit, with one hospital in southern Ontario terminating 57 employees, representing 2.5 per cent of staff, after its vaccine mandate came into effect.
A long-term care home in Toronto put 36 per cent of its staff on unpaid leave after they refused to get vaccinated.
British Columbia is to place staff at its long-term care and assisted living sector on unpaid administrative leave if they fail to get at least one shot.
Quebec is offering $C15,000 ($A16,400) bonuses to help attract and retain about 4,300 full-time nurses.
Some 25,000 healthcare workers who are not yet fully vaccinated risk suspension without pay.
The Treasury Board, which oversees the Public Service, is engaged with the Public Service Alliance of Canada and other labour representatives about the implementation of the mandate, a Government source said.
Ottawa, 12 October 2021
