Addington Highlands adopts staff vaccination policy

Craig Bakay | Nov 10, 2021

After a couple of minor amendments to what was presented at its previous meeting, Addington Highlands Council approved a covid-19 vaccination policy at its regular (online) meeting Nov. 2.

Coun. David Miles abstained from the vote, recording the lone “no.”

CAO/Clerk Christine Reed told Council the policy had been circulated to staff for comments and there were concerns as to what constitutes being “fully vaccinated.”

“I don’t know if the Township is the best authority to determine who is fully vaccinated, so we deferred to the Province,” Reed said.

In Ontario, an individual is considered fully vaccinated if they have received:

• the full series of a covid-19 vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or any combination of such vaccines,
• one or two doses of a covid-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada, followed by one dose of a covid-19 mRNA vaccine authorized by Health Canada, or
• three doses of a covid-19 vaccine not authorized by Health Canada and they received their final dose of the covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days ago.

The second concern was over the use of the word “outbreak” so the sentence was amended to clarify that it refers to a “declared workplace outbreak” as opposed to a regional outbreak.

Community Control Group

Reeve Henry Hogg noted during his report on the 52nd meeting of the Community Control Group that “there are no requirements in legislation requiring municipalities or fire departments to have a mandatory vaccine policy.”

He said the group decided to lift indoor capacity limits but proof of vaccination will still be required.

Quinte Conservation Budget

Council decided to ask the Quinte Conservation Authority for some clarifications before responding to the authority’s 2022 budget.

“The 2022 proposed budget has an increase to the municipal levy of $69,461.37 and an option for a $25,000 reserve build,” the QCA said in a letter to the Township.

Provincial Grant

Upon hearing that the Province will be providing Addington Highlands with $2,053,400 ($774 per household) under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund for 2022, Reeve Henry Hogg had this to say: “I guess the good news is that the OMPF grant is going to continue.”

Road Report

Brett Reavie, Manager of Roads and Waste reported that there has been some flooding in the Township because of “high rainfall amounts and beavers preparing for winter.”

Lennox & Addington Business Awards

Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch reported that 41 Cannabis Company has received the “best new business” award from the Lennox & Addington Business Awards.

Although the Addington Highlands team generally moves its meetings along at a brisk pace, Tuesday’s meeting was one of the shortest on record, clocking in at 29 minutes.