Following the Trudeau government’s mandate requiring all Mounties to be immunized against COVID-19, the union representing Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers says it will support its members’ decision “to be vaccinated or not.”
National Police Federation (NPF) president Brian Sauve said the union was expecting more dialogue with the government on its vaccine mandate, adding the NPF is disappointed with the government’s “engagement-by-notification” approach.
“As we have maintained throughout 2021, consistent with our duty of fair representation, the NPF will continue to support members’ access to vaccines, and their choice to be vaccinated or not. We have also clarified to them the potential consequences of their decisions,” said Sauve.
“We will continue to monitor Treasury Board and the RCMP’s implementation of this policy framework and will support our members, as needed and appropriate, on an individual basis.”
The NPF represents 20,000 members of the RCMP.
Last week, the government announced that all public servants, including members of the RCMP, must be vaccinated or face suspension without pay. The government order could come into effect as early as Nov. 15.
All travellers must also be fully vaccinated by Oct. 30 before boarding planes, trains or marine vessels.
“These travel measures…are some of the strongest in the world because when it comes to keeping you and your family safe, when it comes to avoiding lockdowns for everyone, this is no time for half measures,” Trudeau said.
“If you’ve done the right thing and gotten vaccinated, you deserve the freedom to be safe from COVID. To have your kids be safe from COVID. To get back to the things you love.”
