INNISFAIL – The Town of Innisfail is undergoing research into whether the municipality should bring in a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for its staff.
Todd Becker, the chief administrative officer for the Town of Innisfail, said at the time he is “educating himself” on what is occurring in other municipalities.
The City of Calgary announced earlier this month its employees must be fully vaccinated or provide a valid reason for exemption by Oct. 18, while the Town of Banff is requiring all 300 of its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 23.
Last May, the Town of Innisfail reported its third positive staff COVID case, but has not introduced any vaccination policy for staff.
“At this given time, we don’t have that policy framework but we always evaluate how do we maintain providing services to the community with safety both to the public and their employees at all times? But right now, it’s just to create a level of awareness,” said Becker, adding the issue is now only at the study stage.
“Exactly. Right now, it’s just research to see what other municipalities are doing and how they are doing it and the legal requirements in applying it. It’s just under research mode.”
As for whether the research will lead to some kind of vaccination policy, Becker said it was “premature” at this time.
“I will probably know more following my research. We can certainly have that conversation in due time but right now I am not in that position to state that,” said Becker.
