UPDATE: BC Ferries seeking clarification from feds on extent of vaccine requirements for employees

(Update: Oct. 7, 2021): BC Ferries is seeking clarification from Transport Canada regarding the extent that vaccine requirements will affect their employees.

This afternoon, Premier John Horgan told the media that BC Ferries is federally regulated, therefore their employees are required to be immunized.

Spokesperson for BC Ferries Deborah Marshall said that the federal government’s announcement on Oct. 6, 2021 regarding mandatory vaccine requirements indicates it will apply to marine operators, like BC Ferries, that operate vessels with 12 or more crew.

“BC Ferries is seeking clarification from Transport Canada on how the full extent of the requirements will apply to its employees,” Marshall said.

She added that the provincial government’s announcement on Oct. 5, does not extend to BC Ferries employees “as they are not part of the public sector.”

“BC Ferries supports the federal and provincial and Health Officers’ position that vaccination is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of COVID-19 – for our customers, our colleagues and our families – and to protect broader public health and reduce the spread of the virus,” the company said. “BC Ferries is meeting with its Union and other stakeholders to look for solutions that respect the various perspectives on this sensitive topic.”

(Original story: Oct. 6, 2021):

You will not need to be vaccinated to travel by ferry under newly announced mandates, BC Ferries confirmed today.

The federal government announced today that public servant must be fully vaccinated by the end of October, or be put on administrative leave.

The new policy will affect more than 267,000 core public−service and RCMP workers, and will apply even to those who work from home and outside of the country.

BC Ferries confirmed today, however, that those requirements will not apply to their passengers, or for their employees, as they are a private company.

“BC Ferries is reviewing the recent guidance provided by our regulators and authorities as it becomes available and in the days ahead, will be discussing these with the BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union and other stakeholders to look for solutions that respect the various perspectives on the sensitive topic of mandatory vaccinations,” the company said in a statement.

BC Ferries added that it supports the health officer’s position that vaccination is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of COVID-19.