Oct 8, 2021

FIFO info-Govt Canada domestic travel announcement

The federal government announced their anticipated mandatory vaccine policy this week which confirmed that all travellers aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated by October 30, 2021 to board aircraft leaving any Canadian airport, trains or marine vessels in Canada. This policy applies to all Suncor charter flights to and from the Wood Buffalo region, commercial air travel, including airplanes and helicopters, and will be implemented October 30, 2021.

The required Suncor Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) or proof of full vaccination status for FIFO passengers to be cleared for northbound charter flights will remain status quo until October 30^th. Airport screening locations are at Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG) and Saskatoon (YXE) main airport terminals.

FIFO passengers originating on commercial flights from Vancouver (YVR), Kelowna (YLW) or Nanaimo (YCD) may continue to opt for Rapid Antigen Screening (RAS) at their origin airport to obtain their charter flight boarding wristband. Vaccine status exemption confirmation is not available at these locations until October 30^th.

The government has stated that there will be a transition phase to allow travellers to show a negative COVID-19 molecular test result instead of proof of vaccination up until November 30, 2021. Currently we understand that the rapid antigen screening test will not meet the government requirement during the transition period. Further details to come.

Based on guidance from the federal government a process will be put in place to verify vaccine status at the charter flight hubs in Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG) and Saskatoon (YXE) airports, Firebag (YFI) airport and Fort McMurray (YMM) airport. Suncor is also collaborating with charter flight partner WestJet, who continue to work closely with government and regulatory affairs teams to gain insight and develop procedures in advance of October 30^th. Click here to read WestJet’s statement on mandatory vaccination requirements.

The federal government is working with the provinces to create a standardized, pan-Canadian proof-of-vaccination system that can be used for travel. A fully vaccinated traveller must have received a full series of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of approved shots, with the last dose administered at least 14-days prior to the day of travel. Please reach out to Suncor Health and Wellness at AskHealth&WellnessSiteServices@suncor.com for further clarity on exceptions.

We recognize that this new policy will raise further questions around FIFO travel. Additional details on what this means for Suncor workers will be shared as soon as available.