Correctional employees must attest to their vaccination status: Action required by October 29

This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada (CSC) staff from CSC's Commissioner.

I would like to thank all of you who have received the COVID-19 vaccine and have completed your vaccine attestation. 

I am fully vaccinated. I got vaccinated to protect my family and my colleagues at the office. I also did it to prevent our health care system from getting overwhelmed. I find it heartbreaking to hear that some Canadians, including young children, are not getting medical treatments or surgeries in some areas of the country due to hospitals being overwhelmed.

I understand that some of you may be fearful of getting vaccinated. Please know that billions of people around the world have now been vaccinated, and it is safe and effective. It is how we will put this pandemic behind us.

To date, 77% of CSC staff have already completed the online attestation. Thank you!

Regardless of your vaccination status, you must complete an attestation in the:

• Government of Canada’s Vaccine Attestation Tracking System (GC-VATS)

by October 29. It should only take a few minutes to complete. Remember to use Chrome as your Internet browser. 

If you are partially vaccinated

You can now attest to your partially-vaccinated status in GC-VATS. You are required to advise your manager of the date of your first dose right away. Please book your next vaccination appointment as soon as possible.

If you are not vaccinated 

Please book your appointment as soon as possible. Remember that you can use “Time off for personal medical and dental appointments” (code 698) for both COVID-19 vaccine appointments. 

If you do not attest to your vaccination status, or are unwilling to be vaccinated, you will be placed on administrative leave without pay as early as November 15.

You have an obligation to provide a true attestation. Making a false statement would constitute a breach of the:

• Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector

and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. All attestation information is subject to verification and audit.

Employees who are unable to be vaccinated based on:

• a medical contraindication,
• religion, or
• another prohibited ground, as defined under the:
  • Canadian Human Rights Act

may request accommodation. Learn more on the:

•  Vaccines in the public service page.

If you want to complete your attestation but are not claimed by your current manager in the GC-VATS application, contact your manager immediately. Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions – PSPM Application or contact:

• GEN-NHQ Performance Management Program

for assistance. I also encourage all managers to refer to important information on how to properly claim staff members in the system.

Thank you very much for doing your part in protecting:

• yourself,
• your colleagues,
• offenders, and our communities,

and in bringing this pandemic to an end.