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Scouts Canada Introduces Vaccination Requirement for all Members

September 15, 2021

Ending this pandemic is critical for our youth and our communities

Ottawa, ON – September 15, 2021 — Scouts Canada is introducing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy that will apply to all eligible youth, adult members, participants and staff. As of November 1st, 2021 full vaccination will be required for all in-person Scouting activities across the country.  Requiring mandatory vaccination will help contribute to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and its variants and help our communities thrive.

Throughout the pandemic Scouts Canada has taken a principled approach to ensuring that Scouting can continue to provide youth the opportunities to discover and grow. We now have the opportunity to take a leadership stance that reinforces that commitment to our communities and our members. The evolving pandemic, the significant up-take of vaccinations across the country and signs of an emerging fourth-wave among unvaccinated individuals has prompted Scouts Canada to introduce a vaccine mandate for all eligible youth, adult members, participants and staff. Public health officials continue to advocate strongly for vaccination as the most critical step to bringing the pandemic to an end, Scouts Canada supports this position. Youth need Scouting more than ever to get back to doing kid things. Vaccination will help us get there.

“This new mandate will provide clarity and assurance to parents, members and volunteers,” said Andrew Price, Executive Commissioner and CEO, “It is also in keeping with our core values of being responsible citizens and civic leaders within our communities.”

At Scouts Canada, we believe the health and safety of our youth and adult members is priority #1, and a responsibility for all to share. Considering the on-going risks posed by COVID-19, this new mandate will require full COVID-19 vaccination for all members including youth (who meet vaccination eligibility requirements), Scouters, parents, adults, staff and helpers who intend to participate in-person at Scouting activities on or after November 1, 2021. We are asking our Scouts Canada members to play an essential role in helping stop the spread of the virus and its variants so kids can be kids again. Any individual who cannot be vaccinated based on medical or religious reasons can request an exemption and will be accommodated. Those who remain unvaccinated will be able to participate in virtual activities.

In addition to this new Scouts Canada policy, Scouts Canada will continue to follow all federal, provincial and local legislation as it relates to full vaccination requirements.

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