Three U of W instructors launch lawsuit over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
A trio of instructors at the University of Winnipeg who were placed on unpaid leave due to their vaccination status are suing the school and the province over the COVID-19 vaccine policy they say is discriminatory and 'vilified' them as unvaccinated people.
A statement of claim filed in Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench on Jan. 10, 2022, looks to take the University of Winnipeg (U of W), along with the province and Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, to court.
Manitoba Health and Seniors Care and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration are also named as defendants in the case.
The claim said University of Winnipeg instructors Renise Mlodzinski, Evan Maltman and Kyle Du Val – the plaintiffs in the case – were placed on an involuntary unpaid leave of absence on Sept. 7, 2021, after the university put its vaccination policy in place.
The claim said the policy required anyone entering indoor campus spaces to be fully vaccinated, or declare they are fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination by Oct. 15, 2021, or be partially vaccinated and would be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination by Oct. 15, 2021.
The claim alleges these instructors did not receive notice of the policy until Oct. 4.
It said these instructors have "suffered vilification and extreme ill-will being directed at them as 'unvaccinated' people," and is calling on the court to declare the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy is "overboard, unreasonable and discriminatory."
It said these instructors have suffered damages, including severe and permanent psychological, physical and emotional trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
"The Defendants' actions were malicious, oppressive, high-handed and would offend the court's sense of decency," the claim reads.
The claim is seeking $1 million in charter damages and an order declaring the defendants violated the plaintiffs' rights, along with up to another $1 million in damages for "intentional infliction of mental distress, assault and battery."
In a written statement to CTV News, a U of W spokesperson said the university and collegiate are following public health directives which are based on the best scientific evidence.
"Our vaccine mandate is part of our plan to ensure a safe working and learning environment for faculty, staff and students," the spokesperson said in an email. "The lawsuit is misconceived and will be challenged accordingly."
A provincial spokesperson said the province is not able to comment as the claim is before the courts, but said the province, "takes the health and well-being of all Manitobans into account when it drafts public health orders and relies on all Manitobans to do what is right."
Leighton Grey, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the case, declined a request for comment from CTV News.
None of the allegations in the statement of claim have been proven in court. As of Monday, no statement of defence has been filed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.