Paid leave available for COVID-19 vaccination

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Albertans are now entitled to a paid three-hour leave from work in order to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, after a new bill was passed in the provincial legislature.

On April 21, Bill 71, the Employment Standards (COVID Vaccination Leave) Amendment Act was passed, just a day after it was first proposed.

Jason Copping, the province’s minister of labour and immigration, said the new law will reduce barriers to vaccination by offering working Albertans access to paid, job-protected leaves to get each COVID-19 vaccine. The idea was proposed for Alberta by opposition leader Rachel Notley on April 20, after B.C. and Saskatchewan implemented a similar law.

According to Copping, every Albertan is now entitled to three-hours of paid, job-protected leave for each required dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“As with other leaves, Albertans cannot be fired or disciplined by their employer for taking this leave,” he said.

All employees are eligible regardless of job status, full- or part-time status, and length of employment. 

The government is encouraging employers and employees to work together on scheduling appointments, to minimize impacts on each party, noted Copping.

Getting more people immunized means the province is moving closer to reopening its economy, he added. “It makes it easier for Albertans to get vaccines, taking us one step closer to the end of this pandemic