New Brunswick is moving ahead with controversial plans to make vaccines mandatory for children in public schools and daycares.
Amendments introduced Friday by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy would remove non-medical exemptions.
“Amendments would require students attending public schools and children in licensed early learning and child care facilities either proof of immunization or a medical exemption on a form signed by a medical professional,” said Cardy.
Cardy said there have been recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases which put the health and safety of students at risk.
He said government is willing to use the Constitution’s rarely-used notwithstanding clause to protect the legislation against possible Charter challenges.
“We remain committed to helping to protect the most vulnerable people within our population and will use every power we have to ensure New Brunswick’s schools and daycares are safe for our children,” said Cardy.
The changes would take effect in September 2021.
