Sept. 12, 2022

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has upheld Seneca’s vaccination policy, rejecting an application for an injunction brought by the Justice Centre for Constitution Freedoms of Calgary on behalf of two students. The students have not been vaccinated and did not apply for an exemption on medical or creed grounds.

The decision found that the policy is legal, enforceable and does not violate rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“Seneca is pleased that the court agreed with our approach to creating safe campuses for our students and employees through a strong vaccination mandate and other COVID-19 health protocols,” said President David Agnew.

In his decision, Mr. Justice Black wrote: “… the public interest in minimizing the risk and consequences of Covid-19 by requiring attendees at Seneca’s campus to show proof of vaccination substantially outweighs the interest of the applicants in avoiding the vaccinations …”.

President Agnew noted that the ruling came on the same day as the welcome news that the bivalent vaccine will be widely available soon in Ontario.

“Vaccines are the number one weapon against this deadly virus, and we will continue to put the health and safety of our community first,” he said.

A National Post article on the court’s decision can be read online.