Four Canadian military members challenge vaccine mandate in Federal Court

The Federal Court is scheduled to hear arguments today from four Canadian Armed Forces members facing disciplinary action for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Federal Court is scheduled to hear arguments today from four Canadian Armed Forces members facing disciplinary action for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Chief of the defence Gen. Wayne Eyre ordered all Armed Forces members to be vaccinated by the end of November or face remedial measures, including possible dismissal from the military. That deadline has since been extended to Dec. 18.

The order follows a similar requirement for all federal public servants as the Liberal government sought to set an example for all Canadians to get vaccinated. Eyre has also said his order is intended to protect the military during the pandemic.

In sworn affidavits, the four service members challenging the order say they are opposed to getting the vaccine for different reasons, including concerns about its long-term safety and on religious grounds.

“I do not have the confidence in the government’s declaration that they are `safe and effective,”’ Lt.-Col. Illo Antonio Neri states. “More specifically, I do not believe the trials have accurately discovered and assessed all potential long-term effects of the vaccines.”

And while Eyre’s order allows for exemptions on medical, religious and human rights grounds, Edmonton lawyer Catherine Christensen, who is representing the four military members, told The Canadian Press their requests were all rejected.

The four service members argue that not only are their constitutional rights being violated, but that the threat of dismissal is extreme.

“During my time in CAF, I have seen members convicted of serious offences and not removed from service,” Warrant Officer Morgan Christopher Warren states in his affidavit.