Some high-ranking Ontario politicians and prominent health-care organizations are issuing warnings ahead of a number of protests expected to take place at hospitals across Canada today.
An organization calling itself Canadian Frontline Nurses posted notices of B次元官网网址渟ilent vigilsB次元官网网址� expected to take place in all 10 provinces, saying theyB次元官网网址檙e meant to critique public health measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Prospective locations include the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre, Toronto General Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.
Organizers say they want to take a stand against what they call B次元官网网址渢yrannical measures and government overreach,B次元官网网址� adding that they are not encouraging nurses to walk out on their shifts or abandon patients.
But Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose province was among those targeted by similar past protests after he announced plans for a proof-of-vaccine system, condemned the latest round on Sunday in a tweet describing such events as B次元官网网址渟elfish, cowardly and reckless.B次元官网网址�
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and Ontario Medical Association issued a joint statement B次元官网网址渟trongly condemningB次元官网网址� the planned disruptions and calling for designated safe zones around health-care facilities to protect staff and patients B次元官网网址� a proposal the provinceB次元官网网址檚 New Democrats have also floated.
B次元官网网址淣urses, doctors and other health-care workers have been working around the clock on the front lines of the pandemic for 18 months helping to keep our communities safe,B次元官网网址� SundayB次元官网网址檚 joint statement reads. B次元官网网址淭hese COVID-19 heroes need the resources and supports to continue the battle B次元官网网址� now in the thick of a fourth wave. They cannot and must not be distracted, or worse, discouraged by protests at the doorsteps of their workplaces.B次元官网网址�
Toronto Mayor John Tory also took to social media to condemn the protests planned for some city hospitals, adding heB次元官网网址檚 been in contact with the local police chief about the events and received assurances that staff would be protected and patients could access the buildings.
B次元官网网址淚 support police in taking whatever action is necessary to protect the lives of innocent people seeking medical care and all of our healthcare heroes,B次元官网网址� Tory wrote on Twitter. B次元官网网址淲e have long passed the time when we can have this tyranny of a few interfere with access to healthcare during a pandemic.B次元官网网址�
Past protests have centred on both public health measures and the prospect of proof-of-vaccination systems that would limit access to many public settings for those who have not been immunized against COVID-19.
British ColumbiaB次元官网网址檚 system takes effect on Monday, while OntarioB次元官网网址檚 is set to launch on Sept. 22.
QuebecB次元官网网址檚 rolled out earlier this month, Manitoba began issuing vaccine cards in June, and both Nova Scotia and Yukon have said proof-of-vaccination systems are in the works.
B次元官网网址擳he Canadian Press
