A group of 19 students requests your assistance to pursue and continue its legal action against Ryerson University. This action is brought to remedy the harm caused by the implementation of its COVID-19 vaccine mandate and to advocate for the permanent removal of such policies.

The choices made by Ryerson University in their application of these mandates resulted in the de-enrolment of up to 3,600 students, in addition to loss of student employment, scholarships/funding, and peace of mind.

Legal action will take form in the filing of a lawsuit seeking damages and an injunction to prevent the university from enforcing the mandate in the future.  The students have already retained legal counsel.

The students hope that the lawsuit and the injunction will set a precedent for not only Ryerson students but all other university and college students in Ontario, Canada, who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Your donation will help bring to light the stories of thousands of students who have been negatively impacted by vaccination mandates.

Here's a link to our backup video on Rumble.

Here's our Twitter page (@RyersonAction) for updates.

The timeline for Ryerson University’s approach to its Covid-19 Vaccine Policy is as follows:

—On August 13, 2021, the President of the university announced to the community that “effective September 7, 2021, Ryerson University will require all students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors coming to campus to attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status.” However, those who were not fully vaccinated or chose not to disclose their vaccination status were given the option to test if they wished to access campus. (see this Ryerson Today news)

—On August 30, 2021, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health issued instructions to the universities, requiring that they establish a vaccination policy according to the following terms: Instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Under “Required Precautions and Procedures”, section 1 c) grants Ontario Universities the option of allowing students to receive an educational session about Covid-19 vaccines instead of pursuing vaccination or an approved exemption. Ryerson University did not present this option to students. There is not a single instance in these instructions which recommended that students be de-enrolled for non-compliance. Considering all aforementioned points, it appears that Ryerson University has adopted a heavy-handed approach in regards to the implementation of their Covid-19 vaccination policy.

—On September 2, 2021, the university noted, “Individuals who have not submitted full proof of vaccination or received an approved exemption from the University as of October 18 will no longer be able to submit rapid antigen test results to access campus or in-person university activities off campus.”

—On October 18, 2021, the university announced, “All students, faculty and staff who have not yet submitted their vaccination status in Ryerson Safe are required to do so by November 1, 2021 in advance of the winter 2022 semester,” and this deadline also applied for those who wished to apply for exemption requests.

—On November 17, 2021, the Vice Provost sent an email to non-compliant students, stating, “Students who have not provided their vaccination status in the RyersonSafe app by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 21 will not receive their winter timetables and will be restricted from adding courses,” and that “By Wednesday, December 15, all undergraduate, graduate, and law students who remain non-compliant (either through not providing their status, or remaining not fully vaccinated), will be removed from any in-person winter courses, and may lose access to key Ryerson systems, such as RAMSS.”

—Between mid-December 2021 to mid-January 2022, the university began de-enrolling non-compliant students from in-person courses. Students who declared their vaccination status, but were not fully vaccinated, were allowed to enrol into online courses and were barred from enrolling into in-person courses. However, those who did not disclose their vaccination status received holds in their accounts for “Undisclosed Vaccination Status”. Much confusion arose since many non-disclosed students were not aware that they could possibly enrol in virtual courses. This possibility still remains arbitrary and confusing to the undisclosed students.

—On February 17, 2022, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, noted that the province has been reviewing instructions that were put in place across multiple sectors, and that “the need for vaccination policies across Ontario sectors, whether it’s health or in colleges and universities, is no longer necessary.” He also mentioned that the goal is to have these policies removed by March 1st. (11:23-12:30 see YouTube video)

—On February 24, 2022, the university released this statement: While the Government of Ontario recently announced that public health measures will be eased in the coming weeks as public health indicators in our province continue to improve, the Council of Ontario Universities issued a statement on behalf of all Ontario Universities that “in order to minimize uncertainty and disruption to our students, staff, faculty and university communities, Ontario’s universities will maintain their COVID-19 vaccination policies until at least the end of the current term.” (see first paragraph of this Ryerson Today news)

—On March 3, 2022, Dr. Kieran Moore, confirmed that the province has “removed” the letter of instruction to universities and colleges regarding vaccination policies as of March 1st. (10:59-11:56 see YouTube video)

—On March 28, 2022, Ryerson announced that it would pause the application of its mandate starting May 1, 2022. However, it did not revoke the mandate and the students are concerned that it could be re-imposed at any time. (see this Ryerson Today news)