McGill students protest university's decision to not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination
As McGill University starts classes for the fall semester, members of the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) opted for the front lawn over the classroom to protest the school's decision not to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to be on campus.
"A disturbing lack of empathy by administration. Students, professors and staff need accommodations, whether they are for themselves or for their loved ones," reads a tweet by the SSMU.
If proof of vaccine will not be made mandatory on campus, the students say they want testing sites to be made available -- especially for those living in dorms. In addition, the students want the option to learn remotely, a well as mandatory contact tracing on campus.
"It's weird that we're being so safe about everything except mandatory vaccines," said student Danielle Allard.
"My professors are literally writing letters to the school telling them that they're legally obliged to take measures and they're not," said student Daniel Tamblyn-Watts.
They also complain that the university is not being accomodating to immunocompromised students.
"I could possibly lose my funding to be here if I took a year off as the admin has suggested," said immunocompromised student Emily Black. "I could lose my spot here."
McGill says it is requiring students to wear masks indoors at all times to keep in tune with Quebec public health recommendations, but there will be no distancing required in classrooms. Employees have been asked to fill out daily self-assessment forms before coming to campus.
"Our utmost priority has always been the health and safety of our students and staff. McGill University has been working with and continues to work with the various government authorities to align with directives, to adapt our plans, and to put in place the necessary measures that will ensure the successful return of students and employees to our campuses this Fall," McGill media relations officer Frederique Mazerolle said.
"At this point in time, our view is that unless the government mandates vaccination, in the Quebec context we cannot legally require it. Based on the most recent figures received from the government authorities, more than 85 per cent of our students are vaccinated. There is a very high degree of certainty that most at-risk people will be vaccinated."
Mazerolle added that VaxiCode passports will be required to access a wide range of non-essential activities on and off-campus.
More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition demanding McGill make vaccines mandatory for students on campus.
This week, the Legault government announced vaccinations will be made mandatory for health care workers and students in health-care programs.
That rule will not apply for those in other departments.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is it peaking now?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.
Minister calls GST holiday, $250 cheques for 18 million Canadians 'a targeted approach'
Women and Gender Equality and Youth Minister Marci Ien is calling the federal government's proposed GST holiday and $250 rebate cheques a 'targeted approach' to address affordability concerns.
NEW Thinking about taking an 'adult gap year'? Here's what experts say you should know
Canadian employees are developing an appetite for an 'adult gap year': a meaningful break later in life to refocus, refresh and indulge in something outside their daily routine, according to experts.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Doctor at the heart of Turkiye's newborn baby deaths case says he was a 'trusted' physician
The Turkish doctor at the center of an alleged fraud scheme that led to the deaths of 10 babies told an Istanbul court Saturday that he was a 'trusted' physician.
The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping
The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet.
The Philippine vice president publicly threatens to have the president assassinated
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said Saturday she has contracted an assassin to kill the president, his wife and the House of Representatives speaker if she herself is killed, in a brazen public threat that she warned was not a joke.