# 2023-163 Careers, COVID-19

Case summary

F&R Date: 2025-08-19

The grievor argued that Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Directive 003 on the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) COVID-19 vaccination policy continued to enable systemic discrimination against unvaccinated CAF members by leaving open the risk of future adverse impacts. He also grieved privacy concerns with the requirement to attest to COVID-19 vaccination status in Monitor Military Administrative Support System (Monitor MASS). As redress, the grievor sought the rescindment of all CDS COVID-19 directives, restoration of medical privacy, and an independent investigation into potential misconduct.

Pursuant to subparagraph 7.13(c) of the Queen's Regulations and Orders for the Canadian Forces, the grievance was not submitted to an Initial Authority because the decision in question was made by the CDS.

The Committee found that CDS Directive 003 was issued within the CDS' authority under the National Defence Act (NDA). The Committee further determined that the grievor did not provide evidence or allegations of a concrete nature, as he only expressed concerns about possible future adverse impacts. As such, the grievor had not demonstrated how he was personally aggrieved by CDS Directive 003 within the meaning of subsection 29(1) of the NDA.

The Committee determined that vaccination status was not an analogous prohibited ground of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the grievor had not shown he was discriminated against by CDS Directive 003. 

The Committee found that the requirement to disclose vaccination status was reasonable during the pandemic. However, the Committee recommended reassessing the requirement to attest to COVID-19 vaccination status in Monitor MASS going forward, given that the Canadian Forces Health Services Instruction 6636-81, COVID-19 Vaccination, recognized that the COVID-19 vaccine was now considered a routine recommended vaccine and that vaccination information is stored in the Canadian Forces Health Information System.

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority deny redress but review the ongoing need to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status in Monitor MASS.