Ryerson students sue university over vaccine mandate

On March 28, Ryerson University announced that it would soon be ending its vaccine mandate as well as a number of other COVID-19 safety policies, which had been in effect since the school returned to in-person instruction last September.

A group of students who were impacted by the mandate are now suing Ryerson University to "remedy the harm" caused, "and to advocate for the permanent removal of such policies."

On April 1, the students began crowdfunding on Fundrazr.com. At the time of writing they have raised over $6,000.

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

"[We] 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."

The students then offer a detailed timeline of Ryerson's vaccine mandate, showing the escalation that led to them being deregistered.

In a video attached to the fundraiser, the diverse group of students explain their personal experiences and why they've decided to take legal action.

As the group's lawyer Ryan O'Connor explains, the reasons given are just as diverse, ranging from "faith-based" to medical and age-related concerns. Some simply didn't want their university to have access to such personal health information. They all had one thing in common, however; their exemption requests were denied.

In a lengthy Twitter thread, O'Connor reveals that Ryerson had "no legal obligation to deregister these students," adding that "some were even deregistered when the university had returned to wholly remote learning during the first part of the winter 2022 term."

O'Connor and the students are asking for the public's support.