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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.