Laurentian Valley is considering options for a COVID-19 vaccination policy that would cover municipal workers, council and volunteers.
The County of Renfrew recently passed a policy that would require staff or council members to have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or get rapid tested for the virus on a weekly basis.
Councillor Allen Wren and Reeve Debbie Robinson felt the policy adopted by the County of Renfrew gave options and added nobody wants to see employees on unpaid leave.
Councillor Jen Gauthier asked if it would be possible to continue meeting virtually for council members who choose to not be vaccinated.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Dean Sauriol commented that it might not be fair for council to have the option to attend virtually when municipal staff aren’t able to work remotely.
Concerns were also raised at Tuesday nights (November 2nd, 2021) meeting regarding how the policy would be enforced for volunteers in Laurentian Valley.
Staff will bring a report back to a future council meeting to vote on.
Sauriol added while the County of Renfrew has set a December 1st target of implementing the vaccination policy, Laurentian Valley is likely looking at early 2022.