A series of planned protests at the Ottawa Hospital and elsewhere in the country on Monday attract the attention of police and condemnation from elected officials in hopes of keeping the hospital’s operations running.
The rallies, scheduled for Monday afternoon at the Civic campus in Ottawa and at hospitals in other parts of Ontario and from coast to coast, are said to be in protest of restrictive COVID-19 measures and in favor of the ” freedom of health “.
The demonstrations are organized by a group calling itself Canadian Frontline Nurses, which claims to be responsible for recent protests in hospitals near Kingston, as well as across the country in BC, which have seen healthcare workers and confronted patients when entering or leaving hospitals.
Ottawa Hospital said in a statement to Global News that it is increasing its security presence to ensure patient care is not affected by the protests.
“Those demonstrating outside the hospital are putting not only staff and doctors at risk, but also the hundreds of patients who come to the hospital for care every day,” said a hospital spokesman.
Recent protests have focused on the issue of vaccination mandates and certificates to access non-essential businesses. Ottawa Hospital is among the local health care institutions that have required full vaccinations for all staff.
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“While we respect everyone’s right to freedom of expression, we do not agree with the position that these protesters have taken. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated as it is the best way to protect against serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, ”said the Ottawa hospital spokesman.
The Ottawa Police Service said in a statement that they will be on the Civic campus Monday afternoon to protect the rights of protesters and maintain public peace.
“Any disruption to hospital operations is unacceptable,” a PAHO spokesperson said in an email.
The day of protest has been condemned by the Ontario Registered Nurses Association, the Ontario Medical Association, Prime Minister Doug Ford and other elected officials and healthcare professionals.
In Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson asked Sunday afternoon in a tweet that protesters not interrupt health care staff on the Civic campus.
“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 will not allow it, ”he said. he said in a tweet.
Gloucester-Southgate County. Diane Deans, who said goodbye to city hall earlier this period while receiving cancer treatment, reminded protesters on Twitter that patient care must be paramount and that “there are other places to protest.”
Councilors Catherine McKenney, Shawn Menard and Jeff Leiper wrote a joint letter to Anthony Di Monte, Ottawa’s chief of emergency services, over the weekend to ask the city to use all possible tools to create a buffer zone between the hospital and protesters to avoid any disruption on Monday.
Global News has contacted the city to find out if such measures are being implemented.
The Ottawa Hospital spokesman added in a statement that the best way to support health workers during the fourth wave of the pandemic is to get vaccinated.
“Hospitals have received tremendous support from the community during the pandemic; from food and coffee to wonderful signs and messages. Now the community can show its support for healthcare workers by getting vaccinated. It helps protect our health care system from being overwhelmed and ensures that healthcare workers can continue to serve those most in need. “
– With files from The Canadian Press
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Reference-globalnews.ca