Sept. 13, 2021 (Ottawa) –HealthCareCAN, the national voice of healthcare and health research institutions in Canada, is shocked and appalled that protests are planned outside health institutions today. Such acts are insensitive and unproductive. We urge those planning to participate to do so in the most peaceful, respectful manner and not target healthcare workers and patients. Every day, but particularly during this fourth wave of COVID, health care workers are a vital resource and we call on all governments to take all appropriate actions and protect them.
While all Canadians have the right to express themselves through demonstration, that right must not infringe or impede patients and the work of healthcare workers who strive every day to provide the best care possible. The COVID-19 pandemic has made their work even more difficult, and it is not by traumatizing or harassing these dedicated individuals who are committed to caring for patients and their families that any cause will be advanced.
Now is the time for Canadians to pull together and emerge stronger to stave off the fourth wave of COVID, which is already threatening to overwhelm our healthcare system once again. Vaccination is a critical path to victory against the pandemic and we urge all Canadians to get vaccinated against COVID as soon as possible.
Paul-Émile Cloutier,
President & CEO
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare.
– 30 –
Media contact:
Alexandria Rowe
Communications and Member Services
ARowe@healthcarecan.dev2.inter-vision.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 221 │ Cell: 613-220-1023
