Hi there. In this education post, I would like to cover the topic of Canadian universities and COVID-19 policies for the upcoming school year starting in Fall 2021.
References:
- https://www.universityaffairs.ca/news/news-article/covid-19-updates-for-canadas-universities/
- https://www.coursecompare.ca/covid-19-canadas-colleges-and-universities-roll-out-fall-pandemic-plans/
- https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/more-ontario-universities-make-covid-19-vaccination-mandatory-on-campus-1.5545092
More Canadian Universities Announcing Vaccine Mandates & Rules With Regards With Masks
As universities are transitioning from online learning to in-person learning or a hybrid learning model (hybrid as in both online & in-person), many universities in Canada are announcing policies with regards to vaccines and masks.
According to this Course Compare article, these colleges & universities require mandatory vaccinations for students in residence.
- Trent University
- University of Toronto
- Fanshawe College
- Ryerson University
- York University
- Fleming College
- Durham College
- Ontario Tech University
- Cape Breton
- McMaster University
- University of Ottawa
- University of Waterloo
- Western University
- Sault College
- Cambrian College
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- Sheridan College
- University of Ottawa
University of Toronto, McMaster University and University of Waterloo are a few of the biggest and well-known universities in Canada (province of Ontario) from the list above.
University Staff Affected Too, Not Just Students
According to CTV News on August 12, 2021, more universities are requiring mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for those who will be on campus for the upcoming school year.
This news is mostly for the province of Ontario in Canada.
York University in Toronto, Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., the University of Guelph, and Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ont., were the latest to say Thursday that they'll require proof of vaccination from those attending their facilities.
The University of Toronto and Western University in London, Ont., announced their mandatory vaccination policies a day earlier.
Queen's University said all students, staff, and faculty returning to campus will need to be fully vaccinated or have a plan to do so by Sept. 7.
"We know from medical science that ensuring high vaccination rates is the most effective way to mitigate a fourth wave and to best safeguard our anticipated full return to campus," principal and vice-chancellor Patrick Deane said in a statement.
The University of Guelph said its mandatory vaccine policy would apply at its Guelph and Ridgetown campuses and indoors at all its university-managed field stations.
University President Charlotte A.B. Yates said the policy will help guard against outbreaks and protect individuals from severe disease, hospitalization and death.
The University of Toronto had earlier mandated vaccinations for those living on campus and for certain activities it considers "high-risk," such as varsity sports, music instruction and educational placements.
What If People Do Not Want Be Vaccinated Or Attend In-Person Classes?
Not everyone wants vaccines or is interested in the in-person classes for the time being. If a student is in the middle of their college/university program (year 2 out of 4 for example) and does not want to be vaccinated what does this student do? They could take a long break, or drop out and do something else.
I can see a subset of people not participating in post-secondary learning with these vacccine guidelines. Two alternative educational topics I see that students can learn online while bypassing these vaccines requirements are language learning and computer science/programming.
