Silent protest in downtown Windsor
A group of first responders and front line workers stood in the middle of Dieppe Park Saturday afternoon and protested in silence for 15 minutes.
"I decided to come down to support the firefighters because they should have their own choice if they want to get vaccinated or not," said Duncan McGregor, who was one of over a thousand people who showed their support.
There is resistance to vaccine mandates, especially with new policies coming into effect next week. Staff and volunteers at Windsor Regional Hospital are mandated to have their first vaccine dose by September 22 or face a two-week unpaid leave. Without approved exemptions staff will have until October 7th to be fully vaccinated or face termination.
"If you want to get vaccinated get vaccinated. If you don't want to then your job shouldn't be lost because you're choosing body autonomy," said Anna, who preferred not to share her full name.
Joe Foley said, "You should be able to make a decision and change your decision at the same time but again. You should be able to make a decision."
Some in today's group are vaxed and others aren't. Group advocate Matt Hallewick said they are not fighting vaccine mandates, "We’re fighting simply the right to choose under the protections afforded to us in the Ontario Human Rights Code."
Hallewick feels the lack of choice is causing a division in the workplace.
"We're seeing hostility on the floors between co-workers that are vaxed and not vaxed to the point I've witnessed tears, witnessed people cleaning out their lockers saying I'm not going back, I won't go back to that floor if I go back at all."
With vaccine passports coming into effect Wednesday many understand and feel their rights are being compromised as well. Sarah and John Bezaire have kids who are going to be forced to leave their extra-curricular activities because they chose not to receive a vaccine.
"The kids aren't getting exercise. They're not being active because they have to choose between something that they don't really agree with their sports or something they are passionate about” said Sarah."
"It's either he does the vaccination or he can't compete when he turns 12 in October so he doesn't have a choice. It's not a choice anymore. It's a forced coercion thing for kids," said John.
Supporter Sharon says she feels forced into a corner, "like saying it's not about my vaccine anymore. It's now my rights and my freedom. It's changed and that's the problem."
Hallewick encourages workers to keep their eye on the long game. "We have to stand up until such a time when the law can intervene on our behalf."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.