Hamilton City Council votes to suspend requirement for unvaccinated City employees to provide proof of vaccination

HAMILTON, ON – Hamilton City Council has voted to reconsider the staff recommendations to suspend components of the City’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy.

Current City of Hamilton employees are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination or participate in the Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) program as an ongoing condition of employment, effective immediately. Council’s decision also suspends the provision within the Policy that would see unvaccinated employees terminated as of September 30, 2022.  

The City’s Policy applies to all employees, including full-time, part-time, permanent, temporary, casual and new hires, volunteers, Council members, members of Council-appointed committees and students. The requirement to provide proof of vaccination remains a condition of employment for all new City of Hamilton hires.

 Quick Facts

• The City implemented its Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy in August 2021, which remains in effect.

• The Policy was amended in January 2022 to include termination of employment for employees who fail to disclose their status as fully vaccinated by May 31, 2022.

• In May 2022, Council voted to extend the deadline for employees to provide proof of vaccination, or face termination of employment, to September 30, 2022.

The Council decision today to reconsider the amendment to the COVID-19 Vaccination Verification Policy passed by a vote of 9-4.