A mandatory vaccination policy for GNWT public servants is expected to be announced next week, Premier Caroline Cochrane said in a news conference on Sept. 22.

SA国际影视传媒淲e just did a cross-jurisdictional review of the mandatory vaccinations across the country and we are looking at putting it into a format that works for the NWT specifically,SA国际影视传媒� the premier said.

The government is consulting with territorial organizations, such as the Union of Northern Workers (UNW), as well as Indigenous governments and members of the legislative assembly, according to Cochrane.

Both the UNW and Dene Nation told SA国际影视传媒 that they want healthy communities and increased vaccination rates, but did not fully commit to the idea of mandatory vaccinations for close to 6,000 civil servants.

Todd Parsons, president of the UNW, said in an emailed statement that the union intends to work closely with the GNWT in coming up with a policy that will promote a safe workplace.

As of Sept. 22, the union had not seen a finalized government policy on mandatory vaccinations.

SA国际影视传媒淎s an employer, the GNWT is obligated to provide a safe work environment while respecting workersSA国际影视传媒� human rights and legal rights to privacy,SA国际影视传媒� Parsons said.

He pointed out that if a worker canSA国际影视传媒檛 be vaccinated for reasons protected under human rights legislation, the territorial government will have to ensure the new policy SA国际影视传媒減rovides options for accommodation.SA国际影视传媒�

Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya said the issue was raised during an Indigenous leaders conference call with the GNWT on Sept. 20, but said ultimately it will be up to the GNWT to make the decision on how mandatory vaccinations are implemented, including working out issues around collective and individual human rights.

He remains wary of the territorial governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 overall approach to consultation, and he said even though Indigenous leaders werenSA国际影视传媒檛 given a lot of time to consider the idea, they provided feedback.

He noted that the GNWT hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 listened to their calls to close the border and limit alcohol sales, which he feels are contributing to viral spread and hurting small communities during the pandemic.

Yakeleya said at least some requirements may be required for employees who work closely with vulnerable populations.

SA国际影视传媒淲e see that vaccines are our only shield to mitigate the risks in our communities and to our people,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢andatory (vaccines) may be needed for frontline employees that are in contact with the public because theySA国际影视传媒檙e the ones in contact with Elders and youth.SA国际影视传媒�

While many Indigenous leaders have been strongly advocating for their populations to get vaccinated, Yakeleya said some members just wonSA国际影视传媒檛 comply. He attributes it mostly to conspiracy theory thinking and misinformation on social media.

SA国际影视传媒淲e know thereSA国际影视传媒檚 hesitancy to (get) the vaccine and having people vaccinated, but the vaccine is working and the chiefs are seeing that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut thereSA国际影视传媒檚 also a huge majority of people now who want the vaccine and recognize that this is about survival.SA国际影视传媒�

Great Slave MLA Katrina Nokleby was hesitant to support mandatory vaccinations for GNWT employees immediately.

SA国际影视传媒淚 have a lot of concerns around what a policy like this means with respect to the legal rights of citizens, so I donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to comment on something that ISA国际影视传媒檓 not sure the legality of,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

She said she would like to get more information from advisers with the legislatureSA国际影视传媒檚 Accountability and Oversight Committee, which is made up of regular MLAs and provides feedback to the GNWT and cabinet on various policies.

MLAs have provided input on a draft policy on mandatory vaccines for health-care workers and those in the vulnerable sector, but a finalized document hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 been provided to them as of noon on Sept. 23.

She was uncertain as of Sept. 23 if one for all employees will be coming to committee.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll MLAs have been getting a lot of questions from our constituents regarding mandatory vaccines, so I do think cabinet and the GNWT must address it and let people know what their position is,SA国际影视传媒� she said in response to questions about the timeliness of the policySA国际影视传媒檚 rollout.

SA国际影视传媒淭he government needs to ensure that the legal rights of all citizens are being upheld while balancing the risk to public health. I hope that these decisions will be made in the context of a fact-based risk assessment rooted in reality; that a data-driven decision is made. Not one that is reactive (and) made out of fear.SA国际影视传媒�