Following the federal government’s decision to “suspend” vaccine mandates for domestic travellers and federal employees, BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon is calling on the province to — at least temporarily — drop its own vaccine mandates for healthcare and provincial workers..Under a provincial health order, BC healthcare workers in hospitals, long-term care, and community care settings must still be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to work..The BC Public Service Agency also requires its 30,000 employees to have been twice injected..Falcon says the vaccine requirements in healthcare settings were “meant to be a temporary measure,” and that it is government’s responsibility to ensure said mandates aren’t putting “undue strain” on the province’s healthcare system..Staffing shortages have forced multiple temporary emergency room closures across BC in recent months, with patients redirected to other, already strained hospitals..In April, public health officials said the province will address its nursing shortage by making it easier for internationally educated nurses (IENs) to get registered and licensed..The province will now allocate $12 million to help IENs enter the healthcare system in a more streamlined manner. Bursaries for at least 1,500 nurses to help pay assessment fees will also also be included in the first year, as well as a marketing campaign to promote BC as a “desirable destination” for IENs..However, the current government has not provided a timeline for allowing unvaccinated healthcare workers to return to work..“It is time for the provincial government to follow the science and lead of the federal government, and suspend the temporary vaccine mandate for provincial employees,” said Falcon and BC Liberal Critic for Health Shirley Bond in a joint statement..“As we enter an endemic phase it makes no sense to prevent healthcare workers, conservation officers, or those who will be needed on the front line for this year’s wildfire season from working.”.The BC Liberals, including Falcon and Bond, supported the introduction of vaccine requirements. In their joint statement they do not call on the province to "end" vaccine mandates, but rather "follow federal lead" with an open-ended suspension.
Following the federal government’s decision to “suspend” vaccine mandates for domestic travellers and federal employees, BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon is calling on the province to — at least temporarily — drop its own vaccine mandates for healthcare and provincial workers..Under a provincial health order, BC healthcare workers in hospitals, long-term care, and community care settings must still be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to work..The BC Public Service Agency also requires its 30,000 employees to have been twice injected..Falcon says the vaccine requirements in healthcare settings were “meant to be a temporary measure,” and that it is government’s responsibility to ensure said mandates aren’t putting “undue strain” on the province’s healthcare system..Staffing shortages have forced multiple temporary emergency room closures across BC in recent months, with patients redirected to other, already strained hospitals..In April, public health officials said the province will address its nursing shortage by making it easier for internationally educated nurses (IENs) to get registered and licensed..The province will now allocate $12 million to help IENs enter the healthcare system in a more streamlined manner. Bursaries for at least 1,500 nurses to help pay assessment fees will also also be included in the first year, as well as a marketing campaign to promote BC as a “desirable destination” for IENs..However, the current government has not provided a timeline for allowing unvaccinated healthcare workers to return to work..“It is time for the provincial government to follow the science and lead of the federal government, and suspend the temporary vaccine mandate for provincial employees,” said Falcon and BC Liberal Critic for Health Shirley Bond in a joint statement..“As we enter an endemic phase it makes no sense to prevent healthcare workers, conservation officers, or those who will be needed on the front line for this year’s wildfire season from working.”.The BC Liberals, including Falcon and Bond, supported the introduction of vaccine requirements. In their joint statement they do not call on the province to "end" vaccine mandates, but rather "follow federal lead" with an open-ended suspension.
