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Court documents show that the federal government made a conscious and well-considered decision to impose a strict travel vaccination mandate that did not allow for compassionate exemptions.
Documents recently obtained by The Epoch Times relate to four lawsuits against the authority that shed some light on the thinking that led to the policy of having a “strong” and “world-leading” power.
Jennifer Little, executive director of Transport Canada’s Covid recovery team, was responsible for developing the mandatory policy, which included developing recommendations for decision-makers regarding mandatory exemptions.
Little, who was sworn in in April, was called as a government witness in early June to defend his travel obligation. She was asked during cross-examination whether it was her opinion that compassion should not be free.
“In the process of formulating the policy…we looked at several factors. This was meant to ensure policy direction from decision makers,” she said.
She did not say that she was the lead author of an Oct. 2 briefing to Transport Minister Omar Algabra on “Implementation of Mandatory Vaccination for the Transport Sector.”
He described the policy as “one of the strongest vaccination obligations for travelers in the world.”
The Transport Canada manager said the brief contains all the considerations for the various exemptions.
“And you specifically advised the Travelers not to be free for compassionate reasons?” Press attorney Sam Presvelos.
“So that was one of our considerations. It was something for the decision makers to decide whether or not to include that as one of the few exemptions,” Little said.
“We had guidance in the policy that we were working on to allow very few exemptions … during the fall.”
He said that with fewer exemptions for unvaccinated people, the transportation system would be safer and more secure.
Many people have reached out to The Epoch Times to share stories of how families have been torn apart or missed key moments like weddings and funerals because of the mandate.
Responsibility of service providers
Carriers were responsible for exemptions. Exceptions are allowed for medical or religious reasons to avoid prosecution under human rights law, Little said.
The Little Word Declaration lists exemptions granted by air carriers between October 30, 2021 and April 19, 2022.
- 371 exemptions to get medical services at 83 percent of the approved rate
- 409 for medical contraindications with an approval rate of 55 percent
- 900 exemption for religious initiatives with an approval rate of 38 percent
There is also a national interest-free program that allows unvaccinated people to travel “in the national interest and for reasons critical to Canada’s success as a country,” said Little’s affidavit, noting that travel is required to participate. A clinical trial of a covid-19 vaccine.
This program was used to bring back unvaccinated Ukrainians fleeing the war.
The travel vaccination mandate for planes, trains and some ships went into effect on October 30. It was suspended on June 20, but the Liberals said it could be brought back if the virus surges.
While ministers have repeatedly said they are following science and public health advice to install and maintain the mandate, court documents show the Public Health Agency of Canada has yet to recommend it.
The Epoch Times contacted Health Canada to find out if any individual, agency or group within the department has proposed that the government impose, maintain or eliminate the vaccination mandate.
The spokesperson, who was not identified, did not directly answer, instead pointing out that those policies are set by Transport Canada and the Treasury Board.
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Noye Chartier is a reporter for The Epoch Times in Montreal. Twitter: @NChartierET Gettr: @nchartieret
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