Sarah Bennett
As of October 30, 2021, WestJet requires all its passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before flying. This mandate is in line with a Canadian federal government policy that requires all airline passengers departing from airports in Canada to be vaccinated. WestJet's policy applies to all its airlines, including WestJet mainline flights, its regional airline Encore, and its budget wing, Swoop. The airline has also implemented a mandatory employee vaccination policy, with unvaccinated employees facing the prospect of unpaid leave or termination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination requirement for passengers | From October 30, 2021, all passengers on WestJet flights must be fully vaccinated. This is in accordance with a Canadian national law requiring full vaccination for anyone taking a flight from an airport in Canada. |
| Vaccination requirement for employees | WestJet employees must also be vaccinated. Those who fail to achieve full vaccination status by the deadline face the prospect of unpaid leave and termination of employment. |
| Implementation | WestJet's policy will be implemented in two phases. In Phase 1, guests must show proof of vaccination or a valid PCR test to travel. |
| Motivation | WestJet's vaccination policy is in line with the Canadian government's mandate for all federally regulated transportation sectors. |
| Exceptions | Unknown. However, in Canada, children and those with a medical exemption are generally exempt from vaccination requirements. |
| Incentives | WestJet has offered vacation packages as prizes for COVID-19 double-dosed Albertans. |
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What You'll Learn
- WestJet's mandatory vaccination policy for passengers
- WestJet's mandatory vaccination policy for employees
- Government of Canada's mandatory vaccination policy for federally regulated transportation sectors
- WestJet's two-phase implementation of the vaccination policy
- Penalties for employees who fail to comply with the vaccination policy
WestJet's mandatory vaccination policy for passengers
WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy for its passengers and employees. The policy, which came into effect on October 30, 2021, applies to all WestJet airlines, including WestJet mainline flights, its regional airline Encore, and its budget wing, Swoop. This policy is in line with a national law in Canada that requires anyone taking a flight from an airport in the country to be fully vaccinated.
In the first phase of implementation, from October 30 to November 29, 2021, guests were required to show proof of vaccination or a valid PCR test to travel. WestJet took steps to ensure that its guests were aware of the new requirements before their flights. This included official posts on its website and social media channels. WestJet's CEO emphasized that the airline group would work closely with its employees, labor, and contractor groups to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.
For employees, failure to achieve full vaccination status by the deadline could result in consequences such as unpaid leave or termination of employment. Similarly, Air Canada, another major Canadian airline, set a deadline of October 30, 2021, for its employees to get vaccinated or face termination. Other Canadian carriers, such as Air Transat and Porter Airlines, are also expected to implement similar policies in line with the government's mandate.
The mandatory vaccination policy for passengers has been a topic of discussion and debate within the airline industry. In Alberta, double-dosed Albertans were offered incentives such as vacation packages from WestJet and Air Canada through the Open for Summer Lottery. This initiative aimed to encourage eligible individuals to get vaccinated and contribute to the province's reopening goals.
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WestJet's mandatory vaccination policy for employees
WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, has a mandatory vaccination policy for its employees. In 2021, the airline ordered its employees to get their COVID-19 shots by October 30 or face termination. This policy was welcomed by employees, with some stating that it was necessary to get the economy going. However, this policy has also faced some opposition from those who believe in bodily autonomy and question the rapid rollout of vaccines.
In the case of Yee v WestJet, an employee of WestJet for 11 years was terminated for refusing to comply with the company's COVID-19 vaccination policy on religious grounds. The plaintiff, Mrs Yee, applied for a religious exemption, citing her Christian faith and belief that accepting the vaccine would betray her religious convictions. She supported her request with a letter from her pastor. WestJet denied the exemption, arguing that her objections appeared to be based on personal or philosophical grounds rather than religious ones. Mrs Yee was placed on unpaid leave in November 2021 and terminated a month later, despite working remotely and maintaining a strong performance record.
The Alberta Court of Justice ruled that WestJet wrongfully dismissed Mrs Yee, stating that the company failed to give due regard to her religious beliefs and did not properly consider her religious accommodation request. The court awarded Mrs Yee $66,000 CAD or 11 months' back pay. The court also found that WestJet could have accommodated Mrs Yee by offering her an indefinite leave of absence, which would have preserved her employment.
While WestJet's mandatory vaccination policy for employees was deemed reasonable and enforceable by Judge Aldo Argento, the court highlighted that the company should have given more consideration to Mrs Yee's religious exemption request and explored alternative options to termination.
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Government of Canada's mandatory vaccination policy for federally regulated transportation sectors
On October 6, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that the Government of Canada would require COVID-19 vaccination across the federal public service and federally regulated transportation sectors. This policy was part of the government's efforts to reduce the risk of COVID-19, prevent future outbreaks, and protect the health and safety of Canadians.
Under this policy, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration, including members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, were required to confirm their vaccination status by October 29, 2021. Those who were unwilling to disclose their vaccination status or to be fully vaccinated were placed on administrative leave without pay starting November 15, 2021.
Employers in the federally regulated air, rail, and marine transportation sectors were given until October 30, 2021, to establish vaccination policies to ensure their employees were vaccinated. As of October 30, 2021, travellers departing from Canadian airports and passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains were required to be fully vaccinated, with limited exceptions. This requirement applied to travellers 12 years of age and older and included domestic, transborder, and international flights departing from Canadian airports.
The Government of Canada recognised the need to engage with Indigenous groups, provinces, and territories to ensure that unvaccinated individuals in remote communities could still access essential services. They also emphasised consequences for travellers falsifying documentation and for transportation operators who failed to comply with the vaccination policies. Transport Canada oversaw compliance, including inspections and enforcement tools such as administrative monetary penalties.
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WestJet's two-phase implementation of the vaccination policy
WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, announced a two-phase implementation of its vaccination policy for passengers and employees. The policy was set to be implemented in two phases, with the first phase requiring guests to show proof of vaccination or a valid PCR test for travel. This phase was effective from October 30, 2021, to November 29, 2021. During this period, WestJet encouraged its guests to be fully vaccinated and advised them of the new requirements for travel through official posts on its website and social media channels.
In the second phase, starting from November 30, 2021, WestJet, along with its regional airline Encore and its budget wing, Swoop, implemented a mandatory vaccination policy for all its airline employees and passengers. This decision was in line with the Canadian government's mandatory vaccination policy for all federally regulated transportation sectors. WestJet's CEO emphasised that the airline group would work closely with its employees, labour, and contractor groups to ensure the successful implementation of the corporate policy.
The consequences for employees who failed to achieve full vaccination status by the deadline included the possibility of unpaid leave and termination of employment. WestJet's vaccination policy also aligned with similar policies implemented by other Canadian carriers, including Air Canada, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines. The airline's initiative was part of a broader push for safety and public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to implementing the vaccination policy, WestJet also promoted vaccination among its customers by offering vacation packages as prizes for COVID-19 double-dosed Albertans. These initiatives were supported by Alberta Health and were designed to encourage eligible individuals to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Overall, WestJet's two-phase implementation of the vaccination policy was a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees and customers while adhering to national health guidelines.
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Penalties for employees who fail to comply with the vaccination policy
WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, made headlines in 2021 when it mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for all its employees. This decision was in line with a federal government directive requiring all transportation employees to be vaccinated. WestJet's policy stated that non-compliance could lead to disciplinary actions, including termination of employment.
One notable case involving WestJet's vaccination policy is the wrongful dismissal suit filed by former employee Duong Yee. Yee, an accountant who had worked for the company for 11 years, was dismissed on December 1, 2021, after refusing to get vaccinated. She claimed a religious exemption, but WestJet denied her request. In May 2025, a Calgary judge, Justice Aldo Argento, ruled in Yee's favour, ordering WestJet to pay her damages equivalent to 11 months' salary, totaling $65,587.72.
Justice Argento's decision highlighted that Yee's refusal to comply with the vaccination policy did not impact her job performance or endanger the company's employees or the public, as she was working from home. The judge also noted that WestJet could have permitted Yee to continue working remotely, which would have been in compliance with the federal mandate. Additionally, Justice Argento mentioned that dismissal was not the only option available and that WestJet failed to consider alternative measures before terminating Yee's employment.
The court's decision sent a clear message to WestJet and other employers regarding the enforcement of vaccination policies. It underscored the importance of exploring reasonable accommodations and proportional responses when dealing with employees who refuse to be vaccinated. While employers have a responsibility to maintain a safe workplace, they must also respect the rights and freedoms of their employees, including their religious beliefs and health choices.
In conclusion, the penalties for employees who fail to comply with WestJet's vaccination policy can include termination of employment, as stated in the company's initial directive. However, as demonstrated by the Duong Yee case, such penalties may be challenged in court, and employers must ensure that their enforcement of vaccination policies is reasonable, proportional, and compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, WestJet has mandated that all passengers must be vaccinated. This policy came into effect on October 30, 2021.
Yes, guests must show valid proof of vaccination. From October 30 until November 29, 2021, guests could also show a valid PCR test.
Yes, the mandate applies to all WestJet employees. Including the regional airline Encore and the budget wing, Swoop.
No, the government of Canada has set a mandatory vaccination policy for all federally regulated transportation sectors. Other Canadian carriers such as Air Canada, Air Transat, and Porter Airlines have similar policies.
Employees who do not achieve full vaccination status may face unpaid leave or termination of employment.
