Over 90% of City of Lethbridge staff vaccinated before deadline

There are 1,762 employees across all city departments, which includes fire, EMS, and police.

All staff:
- 95% have reported their vaccination status
- Of those who have reported, 96% are fully vaccinated or are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated
Fire & EMS:
- 94.3% have reported their vaccination status
- Of those who have reported, 97.5% are fully vaccinated or are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated
Police:
- 96.5% have reported their vaccination status
- Of those who have reported, 92.3% are fully vaccinated or are in the process of becoming fully vaccinated

The city’s HR Manager Jason Elliott says those who are not immunized will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 rapid test at the beginning of every shift. Fire & EMS responders are exempt from the testing rule as Alberta Health Services requires them to be vaccinated.

For those who are covered by an exemption, medical or otherwise, the city will pay for the tests. Employees who are unvaccinated but are not covered by any exemptions will have to pay for the tests themselves.

Since the announcement of the mandatory vaccination policy, there have been four voluntary resignations. Elliott says those members expressed “fundamental opposition” to the policy in their resignation notices.

So far, the city has not terminated any workers as a result of this policy. Elliott explains that discipline is “on the table,” but is not his preference.

While the city was not able to state which departments are impacted by the four resignations, LPS Inspector Jason Walper assures that emergency response levels will not be impacted.

by David Opinko

Over 90% of City of Lethbridge staff vaccinated before deadline

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