Aug 20th, 2021

News Release: Ottawa Community Housing Requires COVID-19 Vaccination for Employees

August 20, 2021 (OTTAWA, ON) – As the largest social and affordable housing provider in the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Community Housing is protecting the health and safety of tenants, employees and contractors by announcing that COVID-19 vaccination be required for all employees and on-site contractors. This requirement will be rolled out progressively and implementation will commence in September. 

OCH has implemented numerous safety protocols to minimize the spread of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Each measure taken has been based on the provincial and municipal public health guidance. 

Those who do not disclose their vaccination status or are unable to do so based on medical or other grounds will be required to adhere to further enhanced safety protocols, such as testing. Information provided through this attestation process will be treated as confidential, and accommodation will be taken into consideration as required. 

“COVID-19 has brought challenges that none of us could have ever predicted, including the possible impacts of the new COVID-19 variant, known to be more transmissible and more dangerous, especially for those who remain unvaccinated,” said OCH Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Giguère. “Through required vaccination, we are further demonstrating our commitment to providing tenants with a safe and healthy home and to providing our employees with a safe and healthy workplace,” concluded Giguère. 

We encourage everyone who is eligible, including those living within OCH’s communities, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.  

-30- 

About Ottawa Community Housing

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation provides approximately 15,000 homes to about 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCH houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCH is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second largest in Ontario. OCH was selected as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. www.och-lco.ca | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram   

Media Relations
Ottawa Community Housing Corporation
media@och.ca