City of Prince Rupert quietly introduces COVID-19 vaccine mandate for applicants for civic employment

Applicants for positions with the City of Prince Rupert will have to make sure that a bit of extra paperwork is in order as they prepare their resumes and cover letters for consideration by Human Resources. 

A new notice has gone up on the City of Prince Rupert employment listings, with the City now introducing a Human Resources policy change that requires would be civic employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and to be able to provide confirmation of their vaccination status.

The policy change is noted as having taken effect as of November 12th, though the members of City Council have not discussed the shift in direction in a public council session, nor has the city explained why the move is seemingly only required by new applicants seeking employment with the municipality and does not appear to apply for current employees.

A line in the advisory notes that the policy provisions on vaccination do not apply for internal job postings.

The City of Prince Rupert's employment policy change
related to the hiring of new workers
(click to enlarge)

The new requirement has only recently been added to the information listings of civic job opportunities within the last ten days or so, with no official announcement made, or statement released by the City related to the change in employment policy.

The City does have other COVID measures in place in the community, following the public health orders from the Provincial Health Officer related to gatherings.  

With proof of vaccination required for those making use of, or attending functions at municipal facilities such as the Civic Centre, Earl Mah Aquatic Centre and Lester Centre.

The City has also provided for a wide range of guidance on COVID measures for all facilities, as well as when it comes to civic functions related to City Council, only recently returning to in person council sessions at City Hall, though access of the public to those sessions remains limited.

Earlier this week we noted that the Lax Kw'alaams Band Council had put in place a complete COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all employees and contractors in the community.

Northern Health officials with a presentation to 
City Council earlier this month

Ministry of Health employees are also mandated to be vaccinated under Public Health Orders, officials of Northern Health outlined the scope of that program and response to the vaccine mandate as part of their public update for City Council earlier this month.

At that session Northern Health's Julia Pemberton observed that Prince Rupert is currently at over 90 precent vaccinated with a first dose, with over 85 percent vaccinated with a second dose. She noted that still leaves over 1,000 residents of the region to be fully vaccinated.

The province has its own vaccination mandate in place for public servants as of December 1st and has left the decision  on vaccine mandates in education to individual School Districts.  

So far SD52 has not issued any advisories on how they are approaching the issue.

The members of Prince Rupert Council did have a chance this week to make mention of the new hire Vaccination policy requirement, or release further background on the topic.

However, neither COVID related measures, or Human Resources themes were part of their month end November council session.

City Council has one more public session to go in 2021, set for December 6th, before the flow of municipal information slows for the holiday period

More items of note related to the City of Prince Rupert labour themes can be explored here.

A wider overview of past council discussion themes is available here.