Sunnyside Home in compliance with provincial vaccine mandate

August 01, 2025

Waterloo Region – On October 1, 2021, the Ministry of Long Term Care announced changes to Directive #3, making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all staff, volunteers, students and support workers in long term care homes by November 15.

Recent changes to the directive moved the deadline for second doses to December 13, allowing employees an opportunity to receive their first dose of the vaccine up to and including November 15.

Since October, the Region has worked closely with Sunnyside Home to encourage staff and support them to get vaccinated.

Fourteen employees were terminated for not complying with the Ministry’s vaccination policy, as they remained unvaccinated. These employees represent a variety of roles throughout Sunnyside Home and the Region is working to backfill positions as soon as possible.

“As a long term care home provider, we have a responsibility to protect residents, their families, and our staff,” said Region of Waterloo CAO Bruce Lauckner. “We know that vaccination is our best defense at keeping the community safe and the virus at bay.”

“We have supported staff through the process of getting their vaccination and I am pleased that we were able to raise our numbers and get more staff vaccinated. Unfortunately, some staff have made the decision to remain unvaccinated. While we had hoped for a different outcome, we must follow direction from the Ministry of Long Term Care.”

 

BACKGROUNDER

 

  • The Ministry of Long Term Care announced changes to Directive #3 on October 1, 2021, making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all staff, volunteers, students, and contractors by November 15, 2021, or provide valid exemption.

  • Amendment to Directive #3 changed the deadline for employees to receive their second dose until December 13, 2021.

  • This change follows a new NACI recommendation for an eight-week optimum interval between doses and allows employees an opportunity to receive their first dose up to and including on November 15.

  • Eighteen staff have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Currently, under Directive #3, staff with one dose are able to continue working.

  • Under Directive #3, staff who do not receive their second dose by December 13 will not receive an extension.