UBCM delegates reject motion that would allow unvaccinated healthcare workers back in BC
VANCOUVER — Delegates at the Union of BC Municipalities conference in Vancouver have rejected a motion Thursday morning (Sept. 21) that would call on the provincial government to repeal the vaccine mandate for all health care workers in BC, given the incessant shortage of qualified staff throughout the province.
According to information provided by Chilliwack Councillor Chris Kloot, who is one of several council members at the 2023 UBCM conference, the resolution states: “Whereas British Columbia is one of the last remaining provinces in Canada requiring a vaccine mandate for healthcare professionals; and whereas the shortage of healthcare workers in the Province of British Columbia has been exacerbated considerably by the dismissal of those healthcare workers who chose not to be vaccinated against COVID-19; therefore be it resolved that UBCM call upon the provincial government to lift the COVID-19 vaccination requirement and allow for unvaccinated healthcare workers to return to work to lessen the strain on the healthcare system.”
The motion was debated thoroughly; those in favour described communities as being short on healthcare staff, in addition to existing healthcare workers being exhausted due to the mandate.
Kloot estimated the resolution was rejected by a 60 per cent margin, meaning only 40 per cent of delegates supported asking the province to suspend its vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
