[ad_1]
The issue of the unethical nature of mandating vaccinations for travel was not addressed by the Canadian authorities who wrote the policy, court documents show.
Jennifer Little, executive director of Transport Canada’s Covid recovery team, was responsible for developing the mandatory vaccination policy that would prevent millions of Canadians from taking planes, trains and some ships.
The government did not present much as a witness in its defense of the travel order, which is being challenged in federal court.
In her June 9 cross-examination, Little was asked if she had talked to anyone in government who thought power was moral.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) may have literature on the ethics of vaccine mandates, but “I don’t know of any specific research or discussion to that effect,” Little said.
Little reference was made to PHAC’s policy, “Public Health Ethical Framework: Guidelines for Canada’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
When asked if she had consulted them, Little said she had not.
PHAC’s policy makes no mention of vaccination obligations, but states that “trust and justice” are its guiding values and principles. It includes other principles such as respect for human rights and harm reduction.
Little said she sought legal advice on whether the policy would affect charter rights, although she did not address the ethical issues for the authority.
More than a dozen witnesses and experts were questioned by the Attorney General to defend the federal mandatory vaccination policy in transportation.
Four lawsuits are challenging the federal government’s June 20 ban order. The government is trying to get the legal measures approved, even if it does not suspend or revoke the powers.
In October of last year, the Liberal government dropped the power in transport and public services and federally controlled sectors.
WHO on vaccination obligations
In an affidavit filed in the case, Little said Transport Canada “has carefully considered and acted as necessary” guidance from various organizations to implement measures to protect the transportation sector and the Canadian public.
Domestic organizations listed include the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada (HC), while international organizations listed include the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Little testified on June 9 that she had not seen any comments from PHAC or HC regarding travel vaccination obligations.
In her cross-examination on June 10, lawyer and petitioner Nabil Belkacem said the travel vaccination mandate was not endorsed by WHO or ICAO.
“Are we to agree that your position is currently in direct opposition to WHO?” Belkacem asked.
Little admitted that it “certainly suggests [WHO is] Those who do not support vaccination obligations.
But to my knowledge, we are under no legal obligation to follow WHO guidelines.
A WHO policy brief published on May 30, “Covid-19 and Mandatory Vaccination: Ethical Considerations,” states that “WHO has issued a position statement that national authorities and transport operators should not require COVID-19 vaccination as a condition for international travel.”
ICAO does not support mandatory vaccination in travel.
In its list of recommendations, the organization said, “Given the inequity of global access to vaccines and the inappropriateness or intolerance of some individuals, vaccination should not be a prerequisite for international travel.”
There is no ethicist.
Another government witness was also questioned on the ethical implications of the vaccine mandate.
Dr. Eleni Galanis, Executive Director of Integrated Risk Assessment (CIRA) at PHAC, is part of an advisory group that meets weekly with Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam.
Galanis said on June 23 that the ethics of proposed public health measures were discussed in the group, but there was no specific individual with a special background as a lawyer or medical ethics.
“The balance between individual rights and the need to protect the public’s health, the better, is regularly explored in discussions around the implementation of public health measures,” she said.
Galanis said the issue of mandatory travel vaccinations was “mentioned but not really discussed” in meetings with Dr. Tam.
“Did she ever direct you or anyone on the team to find supporting evidence to justify the … vaccination order?” asked Sam Presvelos, the attorney representing Carl Harrison and Shawn Rickards.
“No, not since I was there,” said Galanis. “And I’m not there every week, but when I’ve been since December … I don’t remember this conversation happening.”
follow
Noye Chartier is a reporter for The Epoch Times in Montreal. Twitter: @NChartierET Gettr: @nchartieret
[ad_2]
Source link
