By Canadian Press

Privacy czar probing complaints about federal public service vaccination requirement

Oct 22, 2021 | 12:02 PM

OTTAWA — The federal privacy watchdog is investigating “a number of complaints” about the government’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement for public servants.

In a statement today, privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien says his office is looking into how principles for handling personal information were applied to the federal policy.

The Liberal government announced earlier this month that core public servants must be vaccinated against the virus or face suspension without pay as early as Nov. 15.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced this week that provinces and the federal government have agreed on a new national vaccine passport for domestic and international travel.

Therrien says his office has had constructive discussions with federal officials over the last few months on the standardized proof of vaccination for travel initiative.

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He says although the initiatives are distinct, the principles applicable to vaccine passports for travel and to the vaccination requirement for federal public servants are the same, and it would therefore be inappropriate to offer conclusions until investigations are complete.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2021.

The Canadian Press