Ottawa hospital officials, politicians condemn demonstrations planned for Monday

Hospitals across the country are preparing for a day of protest on Monday with demonstrations against pandemic protocols expected to hamper access to healthcare facilities including one in downtown Toronto.

The group Canadian Frontline Nurses is planning what it calls a silent protest against mandates in all 10 provinces, targeting five Ontario hospitals; in Ottawa, Toronto, London, Barrie, and Sudbury.

After vaccine passports were announced in several provinces, similar protests held across the country blocked access to ambulances and other medical services. That prompted the Ontario and Canadian medical associations to release a joint statement calling the demonstrations “wrong and unacceptable.”

“The health-care workers who have worked tirelessly for months on end are being bullied and harassed for doing their jobs. This is wrong and unacceptable – full stop,” read a portion of the statement.

A statement from The Ottawa Hospital reads:

“Staff and physicians at The Ottawa Hospital have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to protect those most at risk in our community. They all deserve to come into work safely, free from risk or harm. Those demonstrating outside of the hospital are putting not only staff and physicians at risk, but also the hundreds of patients who come to the hospital for care every day. The hospital has increased its security presence, to protect staff, physicians and patients, and ensure that patient care is not impacted by the planned protests. While we respect everyone’s right to free speech, we disagree with the position that these demonstrators have taken. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated, as it is the best form of protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. Hospitals have received tremendous community support throughout the pandemic; from food and coffee, to wonderful signs and messages. Now, the community can show their support for health-care workers by getting vaccinated. It helps protect our health-care system from being overwhelmed, and ensures that health-care workers care can continue to care for those most in need.”

The Ontario Hospital Association called the demonstrations “truly disheartening,” noting the irony that should any of these protesters get sick or seriously ill from COVID, “it will be hospitals and frontline workers that they turn to for care, perhaps even to save their life.”

Toronto ICU physician Dr. Michael Warner says while people are entitled to make their voices heard, his hope is that the authorities will not tolerate any form of harassment.

“If you have something to say, tell your elected officials, go to the legislature. Use whatever other means are necessary to make your voice heard. But leave the hospital alone, leave the patients alone, and let the healthcare workers continue to do their work unencumbered,” he says in a tweet.

Hospitals are not the place for anti-vaccination protests. pic.twitter.com/ymeYiustTH

— Michael Warner (@drmwarner) September 11, 2021

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the protests “selfish, cowardly and reckless.” However, he stopped short of announcing any measures to try and stop them.

“Our health care workers have sacrificed so much to keep us all safe during this pandemic,” he said in a tweet. “They don’t deserve this kind of treatment — not now, not ever. Leave our health care workers alone.”

Ottawa's mayor Jim Watson condemned the protests in a tweet Sunday afternoon.

I’ve been made aware of a nation-wide protest around hospitals planned for tomorrow.

As Canadians, we have the right to express our beliefs. However, when these protests get in the way of the critical work of our healthcare professionals during a pandemic, I won’t have it. 1/2

— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) September 12, 2021

“To those who intend to protest in Ottawa tomorrow: All I ask is that you respect essential healthcare services coming in and out of our hospitals,” he said. 

Watson says the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will be at the hospital to respond as needed.

Garda World Security warns that more protests could take place at other healthcare locations across the city, so residents who need to head to one are asked to plan some additional time. 

A number of Ottawa city councillors also condemned the protests including Gloucester-Southgate councillor Diane Deans. 

As someone who has been through a major health crisis, I would implore tomorrow’s protesters to remember health care workers are there to provide critical care and patients are there to receive that care. This should be unimpeded. There are other places to protest.

— Diane Deans (@dianedeans) September 13, 2021

Councillors Shawn Menard, Catherine McKenney and Jeff Leiper sent a joint letter to the city's manager of emergency and protective services, Anthony DiMonte with the hope that a safe passage zone can be created for staff, patients, and visitors to the hospital.

The Ontario Medical Association also weighed in, saying in a news release they’re “saddened and deeply disappointed that additional anti-vaccination protests are planned outside hospitals this week.”

“We strongly urge those exercising their right to freedom of expression to do so peacefully & in a manner that is respectful,” they said.

An online petition has been created by those against the anti-vaccine mandate protests in the hopes that the provincial government will support legislation to create permanent safe zones around hospitals to protect employees and visitors from harassment.