8. Recommendations

The intention of this section of the report is to provide a convenient and easy reference or listing of all of the recommendations made in Section 7.

Each of the separate subsections contained in Section 7 are reproduced here, but only the recommendations themselves are included. For a detailed discussion of the rationale for the recommendations and the basis in testimony, we refer the reader to Section 7.

8.1 Civil

8.1.1 Canada‘s Justice System

Recommendations

Based on the witness testimony and the preceding discussion regarding Canada‘s justice system and its actions during the pandemic, here are 10 recommendations for improvements:

Uphold the Rule of Law: Reiterate and reinforce the importance of the rule of law in Canada‘s justice system, emphasizing that all individuals, including the government, are subject to the law.
Review and Rebuild Confidence in Courts: Conduct a thorough review of the Canadian courts‘ handling of pandemic-related cases and their impact on the rule of law. Rebuild public confidence in the justice system by addressing concerns raised during the pandemic.
Separation of Powers: Reassert the separation of powers among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, ensuring that each branch functions independently within its prescribed role.
Limit Executive Authority: Examine and reform the extent of executive authority during emergencies, ensuring proper checks and balances to prevent unelected officials from making far-reaching decisions without accountability or oversight.
Non-Delegation Doctrine: Study the implementation of a non-delegation doctrine in Canada, similar to some USA states, to ensure that legislative powers are not unduly delegated to unelected administrative bodies.
Accountability of Administrative Bodies: Enact legislation that requires administrative bodies to demonstrate their expertise and rationale for decisions, particularly when those decisions infringe on individual rights.
Public Health Authorities Oversight: Establish a clear framework for oversight of public health authorities‘ decision-making processes during emergencies to balance public health needs with individual rights and freedoms.
Transparency in College Governance: Conduct an independent, multidisciplinary inquiry into the governance of professional colleges, especially those governing medical professionals, to ensure transparency, independence, and accountability in their decision-making. The activities of the colleges must adhere to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Freedom of Expression for Healthcare Professionals: Safeguard healthcare professionals‘ freedom of expression, while ensuring that they provide accurate and evidence-based information to the public.
Protecting the Patient–Practitioner Relationship: Review the ability of regulators to interfere in the patient–practitioner relationship, ensuring that professional judgment remains independent and guided by the best interests of the patient.

These recommendations aim to address the concerns raised in the discussion and promote a more balanced, accountable, and transparent approach to governance and decision-making during public health emergencies in Canada.

8.1.2 The Response of Canadian Courts

Recommendations

Following are recommendations to improve the situations described under each of the separate headings.

Protection of Constitutional Rights

Judicial Review: Reinforce the role of Canadian courts as constitutional guardians by actively engaging in judicial review of government actions, especially those that may infringe upon Canadians‘ constitutional rights.
Robust Assessment: Develop a rigorous and evidence-based assessment process for cases involving rights violations, ensuring that the burden of proof is not disproportionately placed on individuals. Courts should critically evaluate government actions.

Access to Justice and Court Shutdowns

Timely Responses: Implement measures to ensure that court closures, especially during emergencies like the pandemic, do not result in undue delays in access to justice. Develop contingency plans for virtual proceedings, and prioritize cases with immediate consequences.
Independent Assessment: Courts should independently assess the impact of public health measures on their ability to provide justice. Review the necessity and effectiveness of measures like mask requirements and vaccine mandates in a courtroom setting to ensure fair hearings.
Public Engagement: Involve legal experts, practitioners, and the public in discussions about maintaining access to justice during crises.

Judicial Deference to the Government

Balanced Review: Encourage a balanced and impartial review process for government policies and actions, rather than automatically deferring to the government‘s position. The burden of proof should not unfairly rest on individuals or groups challenging government decisions.
Comparative Analysis: Consider international precedents, such as the approach taken by courts in the USA, where pandemic measures were subject to rigorous legal scrutiny. Analyze and learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions when addressing similar issues.
Transparency and Accountability: Promote transparency in court decisions, ensuring they include clear reasoning and explanations for rulings, especially in cases that involve significant rights infringements. This helps build public trust and understanding.

Crisis of Confidence in the Judicial System

Public Education: Launch educational initiatives to inform the public about the role of courts in safeguarding constitutional rights, especially during emergencies. Promote an understanding of the court‘s duty to question government actions and protect citizens.
Judicial Independence: Emphasize the importance of judicial independence in preserving the rule of law and protecting individual rights. Judges should be selected and trained to have confidence in their role as independent arbiters of justice.
Public Engagement: Create opportunities for the public to engage with the judicial system, such as public consultations or information campaigns. This can help demystify the legal process and foster public participation.

These recommendations aim to strengthen the Canadian judicial system‘s ability to protect citizens‘ rights, maintain access to justice, and enhance public trust during times of crisis. Implementing these measures would help ensure that courts fulfil their dual role of enforcing laws, while safeguarding constitutional rights effectively.

8.1.3 The Standard of Review in Judicial Review Applications

The Vavilov standard of review that pays excessive deference to the decisions of unelected administrative officials prevented Canadians from meaningful access to justice and review of their cases. This was particularly egregious where Canadians were fighting for their rights to bodily autonomy, to work, and to participate as free citizens in society.

The Commission recommends that:

Legislation be enacted to amend the standard of review in cases where the rights of citizens have been affected. This could be implemented in the applicable Interpretation Acts and in the applicable Bills of Rights.
The burden of proof should be placed on the administrative body to demonstrate reasonableness in cases where the rights of citizens are affected.
Statutory protections should be removed for the decisions of health officers to the extent that they cause harm to persons.

Judicial Notice

The Commission recommends that legislation be enacted to set strict parameters on the use of judicial notice by courts. Judicial notice should never be allowed in respect of evidence that is being challenged. The normal rules of evidence require a party who asserts a fact to prove that fact. This rule underlies the rule of law and should not be relaxed, even in times of emergency.

Mootness

Legislate Parameters: Consider legislation to modify or limit the doctrine of mootness, especially when cases involve violations of Charter rights. This could include prohibiting mootness in such cases.
Timely Hearings: Address the issue of slow-moving justice by implementing measures to expedite hearings, ensuring that cases are heard before measures or mandates are suspended or removed.

Judicial Independence

Diverse Selection Committee: Ensure that the judicial selection committee includes members from various political parties and lay citizens, not just the government, to minimize political bias.
Transparent Appointment Process: Implement a more transparent judicial appointment process, including public debates and hearings, especially for appellate judges, to reduce political bias and enhance fairness.

Judicial Appointments Versus Elections

Independent Review Panel: Establish an independent panel or inquiry composed of experts, academics, and experienced practitioners to review the judicial appointment process. Evaluate whether reforms, such as introducing elections at certain levels, are necessary.
Balancing Appointments: Ensure that appointments reflect a balance of judicial independence and government accountability.

Federal Appointments of Provincial Judges

Provincial Appointment Authority: Consider devolving the appointment of provincial judges to the provinces, while maintaining appropriate selection processes and advisory committees to safeguard quality and independence.

The Judiciary Cannot Act in Tandem with the Government Prosecution Service

Enhance Judicial Independence: Promote and protect the independence of the judiciary, particularly in cases involving government actions, to ensure that citizens have faith in the fairness of the justice system.
Resource Allocation: Allocate resources to support citizens in cases involving violations of Charter rights and freedoms, ensuring they have access to legal representation.

Societal Pressure on the Judiciary

Impartial Selection: Emphasize the importance of selecting judges who demonstrate the ability to remain impartial, open-minded, and fair during times of societal pressure.
Non-Partisan Selection: Promote a non-partisan selection process aimed at minimizing political influence when appointing judges who possess strong principles to uphold laws as they are written, while also emphasizing fairness.

The Role of Chief Justices

Review Case-Assignment Practices: Encourage courts to review their case-assignment practices to ensure fairness and balance in the decisions made, particularly regarding Charter rights.

Fear Felt by Legal Practitioners

Support Legal Professionals: Ensure that legal professionals can perform their roles in the justice system without fear of career repercussions or threats to their safety.

These recommendations aim to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law, while addressing the specific challenges outlined in each section. Implementing them may require legislative changes, policy reforms, and a commitment to preserving judicial independence and protecting the legal profession‘s vital role in society. 0. Labour Law and the Failure of Unions

Recommendations

Based on the testimony concerning labour law and the challenges faced by union members during the pandemic, these recommendations were formulated to address these issues:

Legislation to Protect Union Members: The Commission recommends that legislation be adopted to include ensuring the protection of union members where the member asserts

that Charter rights have been violated as a result of actions of the employer or the union, and
a grievance against his or her employer that the union fails to, or refuses to, defend.

Review and Strengthen Labour Laws: The government should review labour laws to ensure that they provide adequate protection to both unionized and non-unionized employees during health emergencies like the pandemic. This should include mechanisms for addressing workplace issues related to mandates and safety concerns.
Enhance Union Accountability: Labour laws should be amended to hold unions more accountable for representing their members effectively. This could involve regular assessments of a union‘s performance in advocating for its members‘ rights during crises. Unions should be required to demonstrate that they are acting in the best interests of all of their members.
Ensure Union Transparency: Unions should be transparent about their decision-making processes and actions during crises. Members have a right to know how their union is advocating for them. Transparency can help build trust between members and their unions.
Access to Legal Recourse: Labour laws should be revised to allow union members to have access to legal recourse in cases where their union fails to adequately represent their interests. This could include the ability to bring direct actions against employers under certain circumstances, such as when the union refuses to take up their case.
Legal Aid for Union Members: Governments should consider providing legal aid or support to union members who need to take legal action against their union or employer. This would help level the playing field for employees who find themselves in such situations.
Mediation and Dispute Resolution: Establish mediation or dispute resolution mechanisms specifically tailored to labour disputes arising from health emergencies. This can provide a more efficient and cost-effective way to address employer–employee issues than lengthy court battles. Reasons for decisions must be made public.
Educate Union Members: Unions should play a proactive role in educating their members about their rights and the grievance process. Well-informed members are better equipped to hold their unions accountable and make informed decisions during crises.
Encourage Collaboration: Governments, unions, and employers should work together to develop clear guidelines and protocols for dealing with workplace issues during health emergencies. Collaboration can help prevent conflicts and ensure the best interests of workers are protected.
Whistleblower Protections: Strengthen protections for whistleblowers within unions and workplaces. This can encourage employees to come forward with concerns without fear of retaliation.
Public Inquiry: Consider launching a public inquiry into the specific challenges faced by unionized employees during the pandemic. This can help identify systemic issues and inform policy changes.

These recommendations aim to address the shortcomings in labour laws and union representation highlighted during the pandemic. They seek to strike a balance between protecting individual employee rights and maintaining the integrity of collective bargaining agreements.

8.1.4 The Constitution

Recommendations

The Commission recommends that legislation be enacted prohibiting employers from imposing vaccine mandates on employees.

Canada should establish an independent review of its judicial appointment process.
The federal and provincial courts should conduct a national inquiry into their response to pandemic measures, including a review of:
1. What role did the court play in protecting the rights of individuals?
2. What role should the court play when a government imposes vast rights-violating measures?
3. Should the government have the ability to impose pandemic measures on courts and the judiciary?
4. What level of independence do the courts have over their own process in implementing publicly recommended or ordered measures?
5. Should guidelines or best practices be adopted for case assignment, particularly in cases that involve alleged violations of Charter rights?
Judges in provincial courts should be appointed by provincial governments and not the federal government. This recommendation is subject to review as part of the overall review of the judicial appointment process.
The judicial selection process should involve a review by a panel that involves a wide array of citizens and legal experts with different political views and backgrounds. Recommendations for appointments should be made public.
Canada should establish a fund to pay for legal services for Canadian citizens who bring cases against the government for a violation of Charter rights or who are defending prosecutions that violate Charter rights. Further study could be undertaken to determine the structure and principles governing the fund. Some fundamental principles should include:
1. The fund is governed/overseen by a board which has equal representation from constitutional scholars, lawyers, government representatives, academics, and citizens.
Canada and the provinces should legislate parameters for mootness, including a prohibition on mootness when a case involves a violation of the Charter rights of an individual.
An independent inquiry should be conducted into the response of the medical colleges in each province, including a review of
1. What role did the college play in protecting the rights of its members?
2. What role should the college play when a government makes recommendations for medical practice?
3. Should there be specific limits placed on the powers of the colleges?
4. What regulations can be put in place to assure that the colleges adhere to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

8.1.5 Undermining Democratic institutions

Recommendations

Informed Consent: Political parties should enshrine the principle of Informed Consent into party rules and constitutions, guaranteeing each member the freedom to make their own decision and to be free from coercion or mandates to receive a medical treatment.
Protection of Elected Representatives‘ Independence: The parties should adopt regulations to protect the independence of elected representatives so that elected officials are able to express their views and concerns freely without fear of retribution from their own political parties.
Whistleblower Protections: Clear whistleblower protections for politicians and party members who raise concerns about government actions or policies should be established, with protections extending to all levels of government and including all elected officials at all levels of government.
Transparency and Accountability: Decisions by political parties, municipalities, and school boards should be transparent. Parties should be required to provide clear reasons for any actions taken against their members. This includes publicizing party decisions and disciplinary actions.
Strengthen Party Democracy: Encourage internal party democracy by allowing members to openly debate and express dissenting opinions on significant issues, especially during crises like a pandemic.
Reform Legislative Procedures: Review and reform legislative procedures, particularly during emergencies, to ensure that there is sufficient time for members to review and debate bills. Emergency legislation should not bypass the regular legislative process.
Public Consultation and Accountability: Ensure that significant decisions related to public health measures and emergencies are subject to public consultation and accountability. Decisions should be based on a transparent and evidence-based approach.
Protection of Parliamentary Sessions: Protect the integrity of parliamentary sessions by maintaining regular working hours and ensuring that important votes are conducted when a significant number of members are present.
Review Emergency Powers: Review and assess the powers granted to governments during emergencies, such as those under the Emergencies Act, to ensure that they are not overly broad and they respect democratic principles. Consider legal mechanisms for parliamentary oversight.
Education on Legislative Processes: Educate elected representatives and the public about legislative processes and the implications of emergency measures. This includes training for politicians on their roles and responsibilities during crises.
Independent Oversight: Consider the establishment of an independent oversight body or commission to monitor and evaluate government actions during emergencies, ensuring that democratic principles are upheld.
Protection of Opposition Rights: Strengthen the rights and protections of opposition parties to allow them to effectively scrutinize government actions, especially during emergencies. This includes timely access to information and the ability to hold the government accountable.
Public Inquiry: Consider launching a public inquiry to investigate the undermining of democratic institutions during the pandemic. The findings of such an inquiry can inform necessary reforms.

These recommendations aim to safeguard democratic institutions, protect the independence of elected representatives, and ensure that decision-making during emergencies is transparent, accountable, and based on democratic principles.

8.1.6 International Law

Recommendations

Based on the information provided in the testimony and other considerations, here are some recommendations on what Canada could do concerning international laws and treaties, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential future health crises:

Pandemic Convention: The NCI recommends that Canada register immediate reservation against the Pandemic Convention and the amendments to the International Health Regulations once they are put forth by the WHO to allow time for proper consideration of the initiatives and their potential impact on Canada. At the same time, Canada should conduct a public inquiry and consultation into the benefits and risks of both its current obligations under the WHO, and the proposed Pandemic Convention and proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations.
Review and Comply with International Human Rights Law: Canada should thoroughly review its COVID-19 response measures in light of international human rights law. It should ensure that measures taken during the pandemic—such as vaccine measures, lockdowns, and restrictions on movement—consider international human rights standards. If any violations are identified, corrective actions should be taken.
Strengthen Informed Consent: Canada should reinforce the importance of Informed Consent, especially in the context of medical treatments like vaccines. It should ensure that individuals have access to comprehensive information about medical treatments, including potential risks and benefits, and have the right to refuse treatment without coercion.
Enhance Vaccine Injury Compensation: Canada should assess and improve its vaccine injury compensation program to make it more accessible to those who have suffered harm due to vaccinations. This should include a transparent, streamlined claims process, and increased transparency.
Conduct a Comprehensive Inquiry: Canada should initiate a comprehensive and independent public inquiry into its pandemic response measures. This inquiry should have the authority to compel testimony and access relevant information. It should identify responsible parties for any human rights violations and recommend appropriate remedies.
Monitor WHO Developments Closely: Canada should closely monitor and participate in negotiations related to the World Health Organization‘s Pandemic Convention and amendments to the International Health Regulations. It should advocate for transparency, respect for national sovereignty, and the protection of individual rights in these international agreements.
Protect National Sovereignty: Canada should maintain its sovereignty over public health decisions. While international coordination can be valuable, it should not infringe on Canada‘s ability to tailor its responses to its unique circumstances. Any international agreements should be voluntary and non-binding.
Balance Health and Human Rights: Canada should strike a balance between public health measures and human rights. While protecting public health is crucial, measures taken during health emergencies should be lawful, legitimate, necessary, proportional, and temporary. Canada should avoid disproportionately infringing on human rights.
Promote Transparency and Debate: Canada should ensure that information relevant to pandemic measures is disclosed to the public, allowing for informed debate and discussion. Public health measures should be debated openly in democratic forums, allowing for diverse perspectives to be considered.
Provide Redress for Victims: Canada should ensure that victims of human rights violations, including those resulting from pandemic measures, have access to effective remedies. This includes compensation for losses and harm suffered due to these violations.
Engage with Civil Society: Canada should engage with civil liberties organizations, human rights advocates, medical professionals, and other relevant stakeholders, including the public, to ensure that responses to health crises are well-informed and respectful of human rights.

These recommendations are aimed at ensuring that Canada‘s responses to health emergencies uphold international human rights standards, protect individual freedoms, and safeguard national sovereignty, while promoting public health. It‘s important for Canada to strike a balance between these critical considerations in its domestic and international actions.

8.1.7 Coercion Does Not Equal Consent

Recommendations

The report highlights various instances of coercion and its impact on individuals‘ decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccination. To address these issues and mitigate the failures of the system, here are eight recommendations:

Protect Individual Rights

Legislation Against Coercion: Introduce legislation that explicitly prohibits coercive tactics, whether by employers, educational institutions, or any other entity, in relation to medical treatments, such as vaccinations. Ensure that individuals have the freedom to make informed choices without undue pressure.

Transparency and Accountability

Require Organizations to Provide Legal Basis of Mandates Imposed: Conduct a comprehensive review of the legal opinions obtained by employers who implemented vaccine mandates. Ensure these opinions align with fundamental principles of consent and individual rights. Publish these legal opinions for public scrutiny.

Access to Education and Work

Online Learning Options: Ensure that individuals who choose not to get vaccinated have access to online education, especially in institutes of higher education, to avoid coercion through denial of educational opportunities.
Job Protection: Enact legislation to protect employment insurance benefits for individuals who choose not to get vaccinated. Losing employment due to vaccine refusal should not lead to financial hardship.

Informed Decision-Making

Factual Communication: Government and public health authorities should communicate drug information transparently and factually. Encourage vaccination through education, emphasizing the benefits of vaccination rather than resorting to coercion.
Accurate Data Reporting: Ensure accurate reporting of COVID-19 data, including vaccine effectiveness, and avoid any manipulation or misrepresentation that may lead to coercion.

Address Vulnerabilities

Support Vulnerable Groups: Recognize and support vulnerable populations, such as those with addiction issues, with strategies that do not resort to coercion. Ensure they have access to essential services and support networks.

Independent Oversight

Ombudsman or Commission: Establish an independent body, like an ombudsman or commission, to investigate cases of coercion and violations of individual rights related to vaccination. Provide a channel for individuals to report coercion and seek redress.

Avoid Political Exploitation

Ethical Political Discourse: Encourage ethical political discourse around public health measures, including vaccinations. Ensure that political campaigns do not exploit vaccination issues or use coercion for political gain.

Rebuild Trust

Public Apology: Governments should issue public apologies to individuals who felt coerced into vaccination and acknowledge the harms caused by these coercive measures. Rebuilding trust should be a priority.

These recommendations aim to strike a balance between promoting vaccination for public health and respecting individual rights and choices. They seek to prevent coercion, protect individual freedoms, and rebuild trust between the government and its citizens, especially in the context of medical treatments like vaccines.

8.1.8 Emergency Planning & Plan Execution

Recommendations

Based on the totality of the witness testimony, the following recommendations are presented:

Emergency measures organizations (EMOs) must be in charge of planning, implementation, and recovery from any and all “emergencies.“
Public health officials should never be put in charge of emergency response. They should be a critical component of the planning but should never be charged with running a response.
Emergency Management Act powers must supersede the powers of the various public health officers. The public health officers must come under the authority of the emergency management agencies.
Elected officials must remain in charge of all emergency measures.
Follow existing emergency plans.
Make sure all emergency plans are publicized and the contents well known by stakeholders in all affected areas.
Require mandatory training of emergency response personnel.
Follow all emergency measures legislation in each jurisdiction.
Emergency planning must be driven from the bottom up.
Federal government should not be leading emergency response. They should be limited to supporting the requirements of the local authorities.
Media and government cannot be allowed to collude to present a pre-approved information campaign.
The consultation process should involve the public, and the comprehensive plan to tackle the pandemic emergency should be regularly, consistently, and promptly communicated to the public.
In any future emergencies, the government should focus on mitigating public fear and anxiety rather than resorting to fear and terror as a means to secure compliance.
Require mandatory cost–benefit analysis of any and all emergency measures considered and/or imposed.
Require transparency in decision-making.
Support open public discourse, without censorship.
Require a mandatory recovery plan to fix the collateral damage done by the pandemic measures.
Require a mitigation plan for all societal damage done by the pandemic measures.
Establish regulations to ensure that the elected officials are never sidelined or abrogate their powers to unelected bureaucrats.
Commission an independent study which is required to include members of the emergency measures organizations from across Canada.
Rebuild emergency response organizations across Canada.

8.1.9 COVID-19 Pandemic Mandates in the Workplace

Recommendations

We recommend the following:

Immediate development of a judicial panel, overseen by citizens, with the responsibility to investigate the human rights violations that were committed by both governments and private corporations during the pandemic.
Develop and implement a constitutional and international law education course for all judiciary positions across Canada. The intent is to educate judges and Crown attorneys as to their responsibilities under the constitution and international treaties to which Canada is a signatory nation.
Carry out immediate judicial reviews of all pandemic-related court cases that were denied on the basis of mootness or judicial notice.

8.1.10 Policing During COVID-19 Pandemic: Balancing Authority and Citizens‘ Rights

Recommendations

Independent Judicial Investigations: Conduct independent and transparent judicial investigations into allegations of illegal activities by law enforcement officers during the pandemic, ensuring accountability and adherence to the rule of law. This investigation must have the power to enforce subpoenas to obtain witness testimony and critical documents.
Review and Revise Policing Protocols: Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to review and revise their protocols and guidelines for enforcing government mandates, with a focus on respecting individual rights and freedoms while safeguarding public health.
Enhance Training and Education: Provide comprehensive training on handling public health crises to law enforcement officers, emphasizing respect for human rights, de-escalation techniques, and community engagement.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities during health emergencies, promoting dialogue and cooperation between the police and the community.
Community Policing Initiatives: Promote community policing initiatives that foster positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, enhancing trust and cooperation.
Clear Accountability Mechanisms: Establish clear mechanisms for holding law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions during the pandemic, ensuring transparency and fairness in the disciplinary process.
Civilian Oversight: Strengthen civilian oversight bodies to independently monitor police conduct during public health crises, ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards.
Regular Reporting and Transparency: Mandate law enforcement agencies to regularly report on their activities during health emergencies, providing transparency and accountability to the public, while respecting privacy and security concerns.

By implementing these recommendations, authorities can strike a balance between maintaining public safety during health crises and upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, ensuring a more just and equitable response to future pandemics.

8.2. Social Impacts

8.2.1 Neglect and Isolation of Seniors in Canada Amidst COVID-19 Measures

Recommendations

To alleviate the neglect and isolation faced by seniors, it is crucial for the federal, provincial and territorial governments, communities, and individuals to take proactive steps. First and foremost, healthcare systems should prioritize healthcare needs of seniors, ensuring that seniors have access to essential medical care and support services.
Moreover, efforts should be made to enhance the social connections of seniors. This can include facilitating safe visitation policies in long-term-care homes, promoting intergenerational programs, and encouraging community organizations to provide support and companionship to isolated seniors. Volunteering initiatives, teleconferencing platforms, and community outreach programs can help bridge the gap between seniors and their support networks.
Financial assistance programs should be expanded to specifically address the needs of seniors who have been adversely affected by the pandemic mandates. Providing targeted financial support, job training, and re-employment opportunities can help seniors regain their financial stability and alleviate some of the stress they face.
Bridging the digital divide among seniors should be a priority. Initiatives aimed at enhancing digital literacy and providing seniors with the necessary tools and resources to access online services can empower them to connect with their loved ones, access information, and engage in virtual social activities.
It is imperative that a judicial investigation be carried out immediately to determine if any criminal wrongdoing was perpetrated on our senior populations during the pandemic. Witness statements from staff, seniors, and family must be immediately obtained and archived, to be used as evidence in any future prosecutions.
An investigation should be conducted into how the various regulatory agencies abandoned their roles of protectors of seniors and never appeared to visit facilities to check on the operation and level of care being given out.
Those caregivers who simply followed the orders given to them to isolate and dehumanize our seniors in their care must be re-educated or removed from the system and not allowed to continue to provide “care“ to seniors.
Like other professions, caregivers and administrators working with seniors should be mandated to participate in annual professional development and training programs

8.2.2 The Effects of Sustained Propaganda and Terror

Recommendations

Preventing governments from using propaganda and terror against their people requires a multifaceted approach that involves promoting accountability, safeguarding human rights, and fostering democratic institutions. Here are some key strategies:

Establish and uphold a robust human rights framework that protects the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. This includes enshrining indelible human rights in constitutions, implementing international human rights conventions, and ensuring an independent judiciary to safeguard citizens‘ rights.
Foster a strong rule of law by ensuring that government officials and security forces are held accountable for their actions. This includes establishing independent oversight bodies, conducting transparent investigations into allegations of human rights abuses, and prosecuting those responsible for violations.
Promote freedom of expression and an independent media that can serve as a watchdog to hold governments accountable. Protect journalists, bloggers, and activists from harassment, censorship, financial repercussions, and violence, and ensure their ability to report on government actions without fear of reprisal.
Support and empower civil society organizations, including human rights groups, advocacy organizations, and community-based initiatives. These organizations play a crucial role in monitoring government actions, advocating for human rights, and providing support to victims of abuse.
Promote and strengthen democratic governance by ensuring free and fair elections, transparent electoral processes, and respect for the will of the people. This includes promoting political participation, guaranteeing the independence of electoral bodies, and providing opportunities for citizens to engage in decision-making processes.
Leverage international cooperation and pressure to address human rights violations. Encourage diplomatic efforts, international organizations, and regional mechanisms to hold governments accountable for their actions, and impose targeted sanctions or other measures against those responsible for terrorizing their own populations.
Support international human rights mechanisms, and provide them with the necessary resources and authority to investigate and address human rights violations perpetrated by governments. Collaborate with these mechanisms to bring attention to abuses and advocate for meaningful action.
Promote human rights education and awareness among citizens, government officials, and security forces. Encourage a culture of respect for human rights, tolerance, and non-violence through educational programs, public campaigns, and training initiatives.

Preventing governments from using terror against their people requires ongoing commitment and vigilance. It is a collective effort that involves the active participation of citizens, civil society, international actors, and the government itself. By upholding human rights, promoting accountability, and fostering democratic values, societies can strive towards preventing and addressing government-led terror.

8.2.3 Social Effects of Mandates on Canadian Institutions

Recommendations

The process of restoring trust in Canadian institutions is a very difficult and complex one. What was destroyed in a very short period of time will take a generation to restore, and only if these institutions make a concerted effort to restore that trust through their day-to-day actions.

Momentary publicity campaigns and propaganda blitzes will not serve either the institutions or the people of Canada‘s best interests.

If these concerns are not addressed in a forthright manner, the very existence of Canada as a free and democratic nation is at risk.

The commission recommend the following:

It is not an option to take a “business as usual“ posture and simply carry on as if nothing happened. Institutions must recognize and publicly admit their culpability in what was perpetrated on Canadians and, if appropriate, must face criminal and civil penalties for their actions.
Transparency and Accountability: Information related to the institutions‘ actions during the COVID-19 pandemic must be made publicly available, creating a culture of transparency and accountability within public institutions.
Ensure that decision-making processes are open and accessible to the public, and that the actions and performance of public officials are subject to scrutiny.
Establish mechanisms for oversight, such as independent audits or ombudsman offices, to hold institutions accountable for their actions.
Ethical Conduct: Promote and enforce high ethical standards within public institutions. Implement robust codes of conduct that govern the behaviour and decisions of public officials and employees. Provide ethics training to ensure that individuals understand their responsibilities and the expectations placed upon them.
Effective Governance: Strengthen governance structures and mechanisms to ensure efficient and effective functioning of public institutions.
Enhance the professionalism and expertise of public servants through training and development programs. Foster a merit-based culture that rewards competence and performance.
Public Engagement: Actively engage with the public and involve stakeholders in decision-making processes. Seek public input through consultations, town hall meetings, surveys, and other participatory mechanisms. Demonstrate that public institutions are responsive to the needs and concerns of the people they serve.
Communication and Information Dissemination: Establish clear and consistent communication channels to keep the public informed about the work and activities of public institutions. Provide timely and accurate information, particularly in times of crisis or controversy. Use plain language and accessible formats to ensure that information is easily understandable by all segments of society.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Foster collaboration and partnerships with civil society organizations, academia, and other stakeholders. Engage in meaningful dialogue and involve external expertise in policy development and implementation. Collaborative approaches can help build trust and ensure that institutions benefit from diverse perspectives.
Learn from Mistakes: Acknowledge and learn from past mistakes or failures. Publicly address any instances of wrongdoing or misconduct, and take corrective actions. Demonstrate a commitment to learning, improvement, and the prevention of similar issues in the future.
Long-Term Vision and Consistency: Develop and communicate a clear long-term vision for the institution‘s role and purpose. Demonstrate consistency in actions and decision-making, avoiding unnecessary reversals or abrupt changes. Consistency helps build trust by showing that institutions are reliable, accountable, and predictable.
Independent Oversight and Checks and Balances: Strengthen the role of independent oversight bodies, such as auditors general, ombudsman offices, or anti-corruption commissions. These bodies can provide an additional layer of accountability and help prevent abuses of power or corruption.

Rebuilding trust in public institutions is a long-term endeavour that requires sustained commitment and effort. By implementing these strategies, institutions can work towards restoring faith in their integrity, competence, and ability to serve the public interest.

8.2.4 The Impact of COVID-19 Measures on the Military

Recommendations

The fact that a citizen has put on a uniform and vowed to serve and protect Canada should not strip them of all rights and leave them with no legal avenues. The Commission makes the following recommendations:

Grievances by service members should be outside of their chain of command and to an independent reviewer, such as the Office of Inspector General.
Whistleblower legislation should be strengthened to allow soldiers to report on abuses within their chain of command without fear of discipline or retaliation.
Comprehensive healthcare should be provided to all injured service members, for as long as necessary.
An apology should be issued for implementing the vaccine mandate.
Where a medical product is provided to members of the Armed Forces, mandatory monitoring and reporting of injuries and sickness should be performed.

8.2.5 Impact of COVID-19 Measures on the Education System

Recommendations

Avoid Prolonged School Closures: Recognize that extended school closures should not be imposed in the future, as they have profound and far-reaching negative impacts on the socialization and education of children.
Prioritize In-Person Learning: Ensure that in-person learning remains the primary mode of education, even during public health crises. Remote learning should only be used as a last resort and for a limited duration, and in conjunction with parental consultation.
Data-Informed Decision-Making: Base any decisions related to school closures on comprehensive and up-to-date data, considering the specific needs and circumstances of each region or community.
Support Vulnerable Populations: Develop targeted support systems for vulnerable students, including those with disabilities and students from low-income backgrounds. Recognize that these populations may be at higher risk than the general student population and provide specific measures to protect them. Do not impose these measures on the entire student population.
Enhance Mental Health Services: Invest in mental health support services within schools to help students cope with the emotional toll of the pandemic and the challenges of social isolation.
Prioritize Social and Emotional Learning: Incorporate social and emotional learning into the curriculum to help students build resilience and emotional intelligence, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maintain Transparent Communication: Keep parents, students, and the community informed with clear and transparent communication regarding the reasons behind any decisions related to school closures or restrictions.
Plan for Crisis Scenarios: Develop contingency plans that prioritize education and socialization, while maintaining health and safety during future crises.
Learn from Past Mistakes: Conduct a comprehensive review of the government‘s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in education, and use the lessons learned to shape future policies that prioritize the wellbeing and education of our children.
1. By implementing these recommendations, we can work towards a future where our education system remains resilient in the face of emergencies, ensuring that our children‘s socialization and development are protected and nurtured.

8.2.6 The Restructuring of Traditional Educational Institutions Due to COVID-19 Measures

Recommendations

As publicly funded institutions, both universities and colleges must adhere to the law of neutrality before demanding compliance for policies that potentially may not be legally enforceable.
In all publicly funded institutions, whereby the mission includes scholarly inquiry and academic freedom as institutional tenets, there must be room for dissenting voices, debate, dialogue, and, most particularly, policy revisions when the evidence points to a change in the data and statistics that led to restrictive policies initially.
There must be a cost–benefit analysis of any policy that leads to school closures, and discussions must include the public and education stakeholders.
In the interest of academic freedom and integrity, post-secondary institutions and faculty should be able to ask pointed questions free from any fear of repercussions.
Investigate scientific findings that contradict the narrative, and provide internal grant funding to ensure the evidence relied upon by governments and health authorities is accurate.
Post-secondary institutions should not be allowed to impose additional mandates or extend mandates beyond that imposed by the government regulators. During the COVID-19 pandemic, once the initial two-week to flatten the curve period had concluded, post-secondary institutions should have lifted all policy restrictions. Similarly, when the emergency orders were lifted, post-secondary COVID policies should also have been terminated.
Offer an array of learning platforms and alternative arrangements for academic study, including in-person classes, and online, distance, and hybrid options.
Ensure all students have an opportunity to reach their potential without discrimination or bias due to vaccination status.
Any faculty or staff member who suffered a job loss, was terminated, or was placed on unpaid leave and subsequently barred from campus should be immediately restored to good standing. Additionally, any negative or potentially stigmatizing comments regarding the employee‘s COVID stance should be removed forthwith from that employee‘s files. Pensions should be fully restored to pre-COVID status.
Post-secondary institutions should focus on student achievement and not the removal of students from programs for not being compliant with newly established vaccination policies. No student should lose academic standing or lose successfully completed academic credits for non-compliance to a policy.
Students in residence should have opportunities to socialize with other residents under the auspices of cohorts. Students should never be restricted to their rooms.
Reimburse students who paid for residence in good faith but because of a change in COVID policies combined with an individual‘s unvaccinated status, were forced to vacate the premises.
Accommodation in accordance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms must be made. It is a constitutionally protected right for all persons. Therefore, faculty, staff, and students requesting accommodation should not only have their concerns heard but taken seriously when blanket COVID policies are initiated. This includes accepting medical, religious, and personal exemptions. It also means consideration for other circumstances, including personal choice, convictions, conscience, deeply held beliefs, or health risks (for example, previous adverse reaction to a vaccine).
Health policies should provide allowances for bodily autonomy and personal choices. Employees and contractors—including faculty members, staff, and students—should not be required to disclose their medical information to obtain an allowance.
Policies that lead to the segregation of a specific group of students is discriminatory. Therefore, any policy promoting segregation must be immediately removed.
Post-secondary institutions should have to provide justification in writing for responding to government mandates with inflexible approaches.
Any policy must be subject to revision when it becomes apparent that restrictions are not necessary. For example, there should be a mandatory review process every 30 days.
Meet with stakeholder groups—including faculty, staff, and students—who made different choices regarding vaccines and COVID policies.
Eliminate all policies and procedures that directly violate human rights legislation, including denial of a service or services.
Employment loss and/or disciplinary action (including unpaid leave) must follow the same human rights procedures for all faculty and staff. Vaccination status should not be a sufficient excuse or justification for applying union procedures differently.
A union‘s mission is to protect and defend the rights of staff and faculty across campus. The union does not have the right to arbitrarily deny unvaccinated staff and faculty the right to file a grievance and to have the grievance heard.
Employees with long-standing service should not suffer a loss of pension and other benefits because of personal health choices.
Third-bucket youth who were not educated during the pandemic need to be found and their circumstances addressed so they can be educated and subsequently prepared for the future.
Schools should not be closed for periods of time exceeding one week in duration.
Virtual schooling is not advantageous to youth experiencing learning disabilities, having
language barriers, or living in an unsafe or abusive situation. These additional barriers
to learning need to be taken into consideration.
Young, healthy people should not be shut out of schools for as long as they were. Studies as early as May 2020 showed that suicides, eating disorders, opioid deaths, and substance abuse were skyrocketing among young people. Students should have been allowed to go back to in-person learning with no more interruptions.
Special needs children and adults require additional guidance and direction. Therefore, one-size-fits-all blanket policies need to be reconsidered.
Public shaming and labelling of citizens by government officials contributes to lawlessness. Government officials and those in positions of authority need to be held to a higher standard. At the same time, governments should not be permitted to blatantly work against their populations.
Educators need to publicly defend the precautionary principle for all children and youth.

8.2.7 COVID Impact on the Social Fabric

Recommendations

The discussion raises important concerns about the negative impacts of the federal government‘s pandemic response on the fabric of Canadian society. These impacts encompass a wide range of areas, from personal freedoms and trust in institutions to economic, social, and health consequences. To prevent such issues from happening in the future, we put forth the following 12 recommendations.

National Crisis Oversight Council: Commission a study to determine the validity of setting up a National Crisis Oversight Council (NCOC), with a rationale and expected format as follows:

Rationale

Establishing the NCOC is essential to safeguarding democratic principles, protecting individual rights, and maintaining public trust during future emergencies, such as pandemics. The NCOC will serve as an independent, multidisciplinary body tasked with monitoring, policing, and investigating government actions during crises.

Basic Characteristics and Principles

Representation: The NCOC will comprise representatives from diverse sectors of society, including law, medicine, science, faith, business, media, arts, and culture. Each member will undergo a public appointment process, with credentials and potential conflicts of interest transparently disclosed.

Subpoena powers: The council will possess subpoena powers, allowing it to compel testimony and evidence from all sectors, including government officials, the judiciary, and other relevant stakeholders.

Public access: To ensure transparency and accountability, the NCOC will offer the public direct and unfiltered access. A user-friendly platform will enable citizens to express concerns, provide observations, and access council proceedings.

Legislative clarity: The powers and responsibilities of the NCOC will be clearly outlined in legislation, eliminating the need for regulatory details to be determined separately. This legal foundation will establish the council‘s authority and scope.

Empowerment for change: The NCOC will have mechanisms to influence government actions during emergencies. It will be empowered to make recommendations, demand corrective actions, and trigger public awareness campaigns when necessary. Its primary goal will be to uphold democratic values and individual rights and freedoms, and help ensure the wellbeing of citizens.

Media access: The council will be expected to have unrestricted access to all forms of media to maintain public trust and transparency. Regular briefings, reports, and public statements will keep citizens informed of its activities and findings.

Purpose and Benefits

The NCOC would be founded on the principle that a robust system of checks and balances is vital in times of crisis. Its purpose would be to:

Safeguard democracy: Ensure that democratic principles are upheld during emergencies, preventing overreach and abuse of power.

Protect individual rights: Safeguard citizens‘ fundamental rights and liberties, even when extraordinary measures are deemed necessary.

Maintain public trust: Enhance transparency and accountability in government actions, fostering public confidence in crisis management.

Promote evidence-based decisions: Encourage government responses to be grounded in science, data, and expert advice.

Support effective governance: Assist in identifying gaps and weaknesses in government responses—leading to more effective crisis management.

Advance public discourse: Facilitate open dialogue between government, experts, and the public to promote informed decision-making.

In summary, the establishment of the NCOC would be a proactive response to ensure that during future emergencies, the rights and values of Canadian society are upheld. It strengthens democracy, promotes transparency, and empowers the public to actively participate in safeguarding their wellbeing and fundamental rights.

Transparency and honest communication: Governments should prioritize transparent and honest communication with the public during crises. Information about the nature of the crisis, measures being taken, and the expected duration of those measures should be clearly and consistently conveyed.
Accountability mechanisms: Establish mechanisms for holding public officials accountable for their decisions during crises. This includes oversight bodies that can review actions taken by governments and ensure they align with constitutional rights and freedoms.
Respect for constitutional rights: Safeguard constitutional rights and freedoms, even during emergencies. Governments should not infringe on these rights without clear and justifiable reasons, and any restrictions should be proportional and time-limited.
Balanced approach: Develop and implement a balanced approach to crisis management that considers public health alongside economic, social, and mental wellbeing. Decisions should be evidence-based and consider the broad spectrum of societal impacts.
Community engagement: Engage with communities, civil society organizations, and a wide range of experts in decision-making processes. Encourage open dialogue and ensure that policies and measures are sensitive to the unique needs and circumstances of different groups within society.
Education and awareness: Promote public education and awareness about public health measures, their rationale, and the expected outcomes. Informed citizens are more likely to be able to make informed decisions and hold officials accountable for their actions.
Support for vulnerable populations: Develop strategies to support vulnerable populations during crises—such as the homeless, those struggling with addiction, and victims of domestic abuse. Ensure that access to essential services is maintained.
Healthcare infrastructure: Invest in and strengthen healthcare infrastructure to ensure capacity and readiness for future public health emergencies. This includes resources for mental health services, addiction treatment, and domestic violence support.
Mandatory ethics training for health care workers: To enhance the ethical standards and ensure the protection of fundamental patient rights and access to care, we strongly recommend the implementation of annual mandatory ethics training for all healthcare workers. This training should apply to frontline, administrative, and managerial staff across the healthcare system, resulting in the following benefits:

Ethical awareness: Annual ethics training will promote awareness of ethical principles, ensuring that all healthcare workers have a comprehensive understanding of their ethical responsibilities toward patients, colleagues, family members, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Patient-centred care: Ethical training will underscore the importance of prioritizing patients‘ wellbeing, rights, and dignity in all healthcare decisions and actions. It will reinforce the commitment to patient-centred care.
Legal and regulatory compliance: Ethical training will help healthcare workers understand and comply with legal and regulatory requirements related to patient rights and access to care, reducing the likelihood of breaches and legal issues.
Improved communication: Ethical training can enhance communication skills, fostering open and honest dialogue with patients and their families. This will contribute to better-informed decision-making and greater patient satisfaction.
Crisis preparedness: In times of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers will be better prepared to make difficult ethical decisions under pressure, ensuring that patient rights and access to care are upheld even in challenging circumstances.
Accountability: Mandatory training establishes clear expectations and accountability for ethical behaviour. It provides a basis for addressing breaches and taking corrective actions promptly.
Continual improvement: Annual training allows healthcare workers to stay updated on evolving ethical guidelines and best practices, facilitating a culture of continual improvement in patient care.
Organizational culture: Ethical training can contribute to building a culture of respect, compassion, and integrity within healthcare institutions, benefiting both patients and staff.

Scientific integrity: Protect the integrity of scientific research and expert opinions. Encourage open debate and diverse perspectives within the scientific community to ensure that policy decisions are well informed.
Legislative safeguards: Review and update emergency powers legislation to strike a balance between swift response and protection of individual rights. Ensure that such powers are subject to regular parliamentary review and oversight.
1. In essence, the goal is to develop a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of citizens while respecting democratic values, individual rights, and the resilience of Canadian society as a whole. These recommendations aim to foster a society where crises are managed with care, accountability, and a commitment to the long-term welfare of all citizens.

8.2.8 The Effects of Government Pandemic Measures on Faith Communities

Recommendations

Recognition of all religions, including the Body of Christ Church, by all levels of government is paramount in a free and democratic society and must be afforded all protections and shields guaranteed under the Criminal Code, the Constitution Act, 1867, the Bill of Rights, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Churches do not require the permission of governments to open or close. However, when churches decided to respond favourably to the governments‘ call—two weeks to flatten the curve—these same churches must also have had the decision-making authority to reopen when projected COVID death and illness numbers don‘t come to fruition.
Revisions of the Emergencies Act. In May 2020, the launching of the Emergencies Act granted Cabinet powers to evacuate people and remove personal property from any specific area, acquire property, direct any person or any class of persons to render essential services, regulate distribution and availability of essential goods, services, and resources, authorize emergency payments, establish shelters and hospitals, and impose criminal sanctions. Moreover, the Act allows the federal government to essentially nationalize parts of the economy wherever it thinks it‘s necessary, including Cabinet assuming the control, restoration, and maintenance of public utilities and services to ensure the wellbeing of Canadians.

Later, citizens witnessed governments creating travel passes to curtail movement under the Emergencies Act. There needs to be parliamentary and legislative revisions to the Emergencies Act in an effort to reduce the unprecedented sweeping powers of the federal government over provincial jurisdictions and the citizenry and the unbridled discretion of authorities and powers administering new criminal laws without established opportunities for redress.

All governments should be required to provide full disclosure of all the relevant data that led to the declaration of emergency measures, the degree of parliamentary oversight, the dialogue regarding the risks and legitimacy of the lockdowns, and how temporariness was factored into the invoking of the Act.
Governments and public sector employees by virtue of public funding must remain neutral. Freedom of religion is a protected right that supersedes the authority and actions of governments. Public policy can neither be discriminatory in how the law is applied. For example, all churches regardless of the number of congregants, the square footage of the building, or the ability for each individual church to accommodate citizens within the boundaries of ever-changing COVID restrictions were painted with the same brush. On its face, the essential and non-essential list of organizations afforded carte blanche government approval appears discriminatory, and therefore, should be challenged under human rights legislation.
Remedy discriminatory conduct through mandatory education programs. For example, the duty to accommodate is a legal concept that aims to ensure every citizen has equal access to benefits, services, and opportunities. In the context of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the duty to accommodate refers to the principle that individuals and groups should not be treated unfairly or denied opportunities because of their personal characteristics or religious beliefs. In fact, the duty to accommodate places a duty on all employers and service providers, including governments and institutions, to make reasonable adjustments to the policies and practices without unnecessarily imposing hardship on the legitimate interests of a workplace.

Throughout COVID, legitimate questions were ignored. Yet, discretionary discriminatory actions were evident, imposing undue hardship on those who requested religious accommodation. Therefore, mandatory religious education courses for all public sector employees to ensure citizens are not discriminated against for religious practices and beliefs would send a much-needed message to public sector employees who discriminately targeted men and women of faith.

Going forward, there must be a clear, evidence-based rationale for locking down citizens and society. And subsequently, when the Emergencies Act is revoked, there must be ample opportunities for redress, public conversations, and debate in the public square that will counter future restrictions on the citizenry.
Criminal Code section 176 must be retained.
Every individual has an inherent right to end-of-life, spiritual and/or pastoral care or God at bedside services that align with their specific faith. Therefore, all publicly funded institutions, including hospitals, and long-term care facilities must comply.
Courts must accept deeply held beliefs for religious convictions and respect that not every citizen, when writing an affidavit to support their views, is familiar with conveying the breadth and depth of their convictions in a manner that would overwhelmingly influence the Court.
The presumption of innocence must be adhered to in all judicial proceedings occurring in every province and territory but Québec, where the latter operates under civil law. From the evidence, it appears prosecutors have too much influence on how the court uses its time. For example, the statement that constitutional arguments are a waste of court time and, therefore, should not be heard is not acceptable. Again, if a citizen‘s constitutional rights have been violated by virtue of their personal beliefs, thoughts, opinions, or expression, the actions of governments must be called into account, or else the law is being brought into disrepute.
Bail conditions must be reasonable and fair and cannot prevent an individual from performing their employment duties and responsibilities. This includes pastoral service within a religious context.
Separation of courts, the separation of courts from the public service.
Regarding procedural fairness and natural justice, it‘s time for a comprehensive national dialogue to take place involving the church and Canadians who firmly believe the church is foundational and necessary for the social and economic wellbeing within communities. The church is uniquely qualified and capable of making decisions that impact the social fabric.
The prevailing belief that there is a higher spiritual accountability in this life which determines our individual standing for eternal life cannot and should not be negated by government or judiciary.
Churches and citizens are encouraged to create a public policy watch for any legislation that potentially negates the rights and freedoms of faith groups. The attempt to silence religious speech over the last three years should not go unnoticed.

8.3 Economic Impacts

8.3.1 Impacts of Mandates on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Recommendations

Financial Support:
1. Simplify and expedite access to financial assistance programs, ensuring that small businesses can easily navigate the application processes.
2. Provide targeted financial aid to sectors that have been disproportionately affected.
3. Extend and expand wage subsidies to encourage businesses to retain employees and minimize layoffs.
Flexible Regulations:
1. Implement flexible regulations and licensing requirements to support businesses in adapting to changing circumstances and exploring new revenue streams.
2. Streamline bureaucratic processes to reduce administrative burdens on small businesses and expedite approvals.
3. In cases where governing authorities decided businesses were non-essential, there needs to be accommodation made to allow these businesses to reestablish themselves or in cases where the business has closed, gone bankrupt, et cetera, an understanding within the public service that this is not a consequence of the business owner not wanting to work but a direct result of decisions made by governing authorities.
Access to Capital and Credit:
1. Enhance access to affordable capital and credit for small businesses through low-interest loans, loan guarantees, or grant programs.
2. Collaborate with financial institutions to develop tailored financial products specifically designed to address the needs of small businesses during recovery.
Promote Local Online Shopping:
1. Encourage consumers to support local businesses by promoting the importance of shopping locally.
2. Develop and implement marketing campaigns to raise awareness of online platforms and e-commerce solutions that facilitate purchases from local businesses.
Training and Skill Development:
1. Offer training programs and workshops to small business owners and employees to enhance their skills in areas such as digital marketing, e-commerce, and remote work.
2. Collaborate with educational institutions and industry associations to develop training initiatives specifically tailored to the needs of small businesses.
Collaboration and Networking:
1. Facilitate networking opportunities among small business owners, allowing them to share experiences, insights, and best practices.
2. Foster collaboration between small businesses and larger corporations through partnerships, supplier diversity initiatives, or mentorship programs.

8.3.2 Impacts of Mandates on Canadian Citizens

Recommendations

An independent judicial investigation must be undertaken to determine responsibility and criminality. Any and all institutions, individuals, or organizations that were responsible for breaking of the law need to be brought to justice.
Laws need to be strengthened to specifically prohibit the mandating of medical procedures and the exposure of private health information. There are current laws in place, but somehow these laws did not protect Canadians.
Canada must affirm its adherence to international law and human rights and invite an investigation of the actions of the government according to these treaties.
An intensive program aimed at addressing the developmental damage done to our children must be undertaken and implemented immediately. It is not acceptable to simply move on with business as usual. Children have been emotionally, developmentally, and educationally damaged, and remedial actions are required.
An investigation into the actions of the CBC and privately held media companies in Canada must be undertaken to determine criminality under the current hate speech and terrorism laws in Canada. It was the relentless stream of hate, propaganda, and terror which was responsible for much of the damage done.
All employees who were terminated due to refusal to take a medical procedure must be rehired and paid compensation. All costs of these actions need to be paid for by the parties who mandated and implemented the terminations.
The regulations concerning the operation of elderly persons‘ care homes need to be reformed. Never again should these institutions be allowed to lockdown, isolate, and ignore the needs of the residents and their relatives. Compensation needs to be paid and criminal charges laid as appropriate.
A mandatory course on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is to be developed and become mandatory for all public service employees, as part of the effort to assure that these actions are never supported again.
A high-school level course must be developed to teach the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and civics to all high school students in Canada. This course must be mandatory nationwide.
The history of what happened during the pandemic, including an accounting of who was responsible, must be developed and included as a module in all high school history courses. This history is to be mandatory.
Government officials, the judiciary, and regulatory boards did not adequately safeguard the interests of Canadians. It is imperative to implement measures that establish civilian oversight for many of these institutions, ensuring their independence from political influence and interference.
Financial Support:

Ensure efficient and accessible delivery of financial assistance programs to individuals impacted by the mandates, including those who have lost their jobs or experienced reduced income.
Expand income support programs and consider targeted initiatives for vulnerable populations, such as low-income individuals, single parents, and seasonal economy workers.
Provide rent and mortgage relief programs to ease the financial burden on individuals facing housing insecurity.

Mental Health Support:

Increase access to mental health services, including telehealth options, to support individuals experiencing heightened stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Implement public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma associated with seeking mental health support and promote available resources.
Invest in community-based mental health programs and initiatives that address the specific needs of diverse populations.

Educational Resources and Support:

Ensure access to remote learning resources and technologies for students to minimize educational disruptions.
Provide additional support and resources for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to address students experiencing educational disparities and issues related to technology.
Invest in educational and vocational training programs to support individuals in re-skilling or up-skilling to adapt to changing job market demands.

Healthcare Access and Outreach:

Prioritize and expedite non-urgent medical procedures and screenings that were delayed or cancelled during the mandates to address healthcare needs and prevent further complications.
Increase outreach efforts to promote preventive healthcare measures such as regular check-ups.
Enhance access to telehealth services and digital health platforms to facilitate remote consultations and healthcare support.

Community Support and Engagement:

Facilitate virtual community engagement initiatives to foster social connections, combat social isolation, and promote community resilience.
Provide funding and resources to community organizations and non-profit groups that offer support services, food banks, and other essential resources for those in need.
Encourage employers to prioritize employee wellbeing by implementing flexible work arrangements, promoting work-life balance, and supporting mental health initiatives.

Communication and Information Dissemination:

Ensure clear, consistent, and timely communication about public health guidelines, mandates, and available resources to keep citizens informed and reduce confusion.
Utilize diverse communication channels to reach different segments of the population, including multilingual communication and accessibility measures for individuals with disabilities.
Combat misinformation and promote evidence-based information through public health campaigns and collaborations with trusted sources.

Long-Term Preparedness and Resilience:

Invest in healthcare infrastructure, including increased hospital capacity and resources, to improve pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.
Establish contingency plans and strategies to manage future crises effectively, balancing public health priorities with minimizing social and economic disruptions.
Foster collaboration between government, businesses, and community stakeholders to develop comprehensive and coordinated approaches for future emergencies.

By implementing these recommendations, the Canadian government and relevant stakeholders can provide support and assistance to citizens impacted by the COVID-19 interventions, helping individuals navigate the challenges, promote wellbeing, and build resilience during and beyond the pandemic.

8.3.2 Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Canada

Recommendations

Restraints must be placed on public health officers. They must be required to immediately justify their recommendations with legitimate cost–benefit analyses, and their decisions must be subject to the authority of publicly elected officials and the transparent scrutiny of the public.
All scientific studies on either side of a crisis must be made available to the public so that the effect of propaganda can be minimized.
Public health officials should never be placed in charge of an Emergency Response. Emergency Response must remain the purview of professionals trained in medical and emergency procedures who understand how to set goals and achieve them.
Lockdowns and mandates must require direct legislative authority. These steps cannot be allowed to be carried out under regulations.
The media must be held to account for their collusion in the propaganda that caused the panic among citizens and authorities.
A detailed financial audit must be undertaken on each and every dollar that was spent on the pandemic. It must be determined whether any mishandling of these funds occurred.
Identify and prioritize essential expenditures directly related to public health and safety, such as healthcare infrastructure and support for vulnerable populations.
Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of existing programs and initiatives to ensure resources are allocated wisely, redirecting funds from less effective areas to more impactful measures.
Focus financial support on the most affected sectors and individuals, such as small businesses, low-income households, and those facing unemployment or reduced income due to the mandates.
Streamline administrative processes to reduce red tape, bureaucratic delays, and associated costs, ensuring funds are disbursed promptly to those in need.
Enhance transparency and accountability in spending by providing regular public reporting on the allocation and utilization of funds, enabling citizens to monitor government expenditures.
Invest in long-term emergency planning and preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of future pandemics or health emergencies. This may include strengthening public health infrastructure, establishing emergency funds, and enhancing the capacity for rapid response and data collection.
Ensure that future public health emergencies are operated by the existing Emergency Management Apparatus and that the public health authorities provide input into that apparatus but are not able to lead or control it.
Response to future public emergencies must be driven by and directed by local emergency planning personnel on the ground and not driven by federal government political processes.
Consider the potential cost-saving benefits of investing in preventive healthcare measures, public health education, and research and development in the healthcare sector.
Continuously monitor the effectiveness and impact of government spending on COVID-19 mandates and measures, adjusting allocations as needed based on evolving circumstances, scientific evidence, and changing priorities.
Engage in rigorous and public evaluation and assessment of programs and policies to identify areas of inefficiency or ineffectiveness, making data-driven decisions to optimize resource utilization.
Focus on measures that stimulate economic recovery and job creation, such as infrastructure investments, targeted incentives for business growth and innovation, and initiatives to promote consumer spending and tourism.
Balance short-term relief measures with long-term economic strategies to foster sustainable growth and resilience in the post-pandemic era.
Canada must adopt a Canada First policy where our national interest drives overall policy agendas. This applies to all aspects of our nation, including fiscal, financial, social and environmental policy. Global planning and response with a lack of Canadian input created the situation that we now find ourselves in.
Canada is a country whose economy is dependant on natural resource extraction and production. Canada must implement policies to upgrade and expand these core economic drivers so that export income can be quickly injected into the Canadian economy, addressing these historic debts caused by the government‘s actions during the pandemic.
Some of the damage and hardships experienced by Canadians was caused by an acute lack of independence and diversity of critical aspects of our economy. Canada must rigorously review and apply the anti-combines laws (Competition Act) to limit Canadians exposure to undue influence from the many monopolies that currently exist across critical sectors of our economy.

By implementing these recommendations, governments can exercise restraint in spending while ensuring that essential needs are addressed, support is provided to those most affected, and long-term preparedness measures are in place. It is crucial to strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and the necessary investments to protect public health, support the economy, and promote the overall wellbeing of citizens.

8.3.3 Media Actions During the Pandemic

Recommendations

CBC

CBC as an organization must be held to account for their very damaging and dangerous actions. Significant steps must be taken to prevent this from ever happening again.

CBC was originally founded on November 2, 1936. Many of the principles under which the CBC was created and justified, no longer exist. With the advent of the Internet and the incredible reduction in the cost of creating quality content, the CBC no longer has a significant role to play in the promotion of Canadian content or the provision of media services to the rural and remote areas of Canada.

The CBC should be stripped to its very fundamental functions of providing information to Canadians with a special focus on French language and Indigenous issues. All other current functions and productions of the CBC must be terminated immediately.
All current senior management positions in the CBC must be removed in light of the revised operational mandate.
Dismiss all on air staff that participated in the dissemination of propaganda during the pandemic.
Replace the CBC Ombudsmen with a Board of Canadians chosen from across Canada, with two representatives chosen from each province and territory.
The first task of the Board is to investigate the origins and relationships with the government and industry that influenced the actions of the CBC during the pandemic.
Remove the CBC from the “Trusted News Initiative“ and all other related organizations.
One of the original functions of the CBC was to support Canadian content, and as such they should return to that role but not to the role as imagined in 1932; it must realize the reality of the 21st century. As such, the CBC mandate would be to help Canadians to develop Canadian content. We propose the following:
1. CBC facilities and equipment, et cetera, might be made available as a resource to private media developers.
2. Utilize expertise that is currently embedded in the CBC to educate and provide training to private Canadian content producers.
3. CBC should use its resources to promote real Canadian content produced by Canadians, not the CBC.
A criminal investigation must be undertaken to determine what areas of criminal hate speech law may have been violated based on the reporting of the CBC.

Other Traditional “Privately Owned“ Media

Other traditional media outlets were as culpable as the CBC, but as private industry players, they do have the right to broadcast in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It would be extremely difficult to monitor their content on an ongoing basis, and it should not be the role of the government to regulate that content beyond required by current law.

However, any and all direct government support to these media entities must be stopped immediately. There is no reason for Canadian taxpayers to be supporting these entities. They are privately owned and as such must survive in the free marketplace as every other private business must.
There is an uneasy monopolization of traditional media that has occurred in Canada over the past 30 years. A complete investigation of the traditional media sources must be carried out under all federal legislation that deals with the development of monopolies in Canada.
A criminal investigation must be undertaken to determine what areas of criminal hate speech law may have been violated based on the reporting of the traditional media venues.
Internet social media platforms must not be censoring or editorializing content on their sites, unless the content is in contravention of the Criminal Code.
The Broadcasting Act must be rewritten to accurately reflect the broadcasting environment of the 21st century. The Broadcasting Act should not be used as a tool of the government to censor content or to advance the promotion and production of Canadian content. The act must endeavour to accurately set out the rules and regulations and remove interpretation or development of regulations by an unelected body such as the CRTC.
The role of the CRTC must be reviewed, and the CRTC possibly abolished if it is determined that the actual role of the CRTC is to simply develop regulations which are not specifically contained in legislation.
Bolster press freedom and other media communications protections by enacting comprehensive legislation and constitutional provisions in alignment with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which ensures and upholds the rights of free expression, access to information, and editorial independence.
Safeguard journalists from intimidation, harassment, and threats to their personal safety through effective law enforcement and judicial mechanisms.
Ensure that public broadcasting organizations, such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, operate independently and are insulated from political interference with editorial decisions made by experienced journalists.
Promote a diverse and inclusive media landscape that reflects a wide range of perspectives and avoids undue concentration of ownership or control.
Increase transparency in the allocation and utilization of public funds provided to the public broadcaster. This includes clearly disclosing the criteria and decision-making processes for funding distribution.
Establish independent bodies or committees to oversee and evaluate the disbursement of public funds, ensuring accountability and preventing undue influence.
Foster the development of non-profit and community-based media organizations to diversify the media landscape and provide alternative sources of information and perspectives.
Establish grant programs or tax incentives to support the sustainability and growth of non-profit media outlets, enabling them to operate independently of government influence.
Promote media literacy education initiatives that equip citizens with critical thinking skills to evaluate media sources, distinguish between fact and opinion, and understand the importance of independent journalism.
Promote adherence to professional journalistic standards and ethics, including accuracy, fairness, and accountability.
Support self-regulatory bodies, such as the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ).
Enforce ethical guidelines and provide recourse for individuals who believe they have been misrepresented or harmed by media coverage.
Engage in international forums and collaborations to advocate for press freedom and protect independent journalism globally.
Support initiatives and organizations that promote freedom of the press and other forms of media and provide assistance to journalists facing threats or persecution.
Encourage citizen participation and engagement in media governance, including public consultations, forums, and advisory panels, to ensure diverse perspectives and community interests are taken into account.

By implementing these recommendations, Canada can foster a media landscape that is independent, diverse, and accountable, serving as a cornerstone of democracy and providing citizens with reliable, unbiased information. It is crucial to uphold the principles of press freedom and support traditional media outlets in their role as watchdogs and providers of independent journalism.

8.5 Health

8.5.1 Pandemic Preparedness Plan

Recommendations

Rectifying the Mistake of Discarding the Emergency Management Plan: The decision to discard the Emergency Management Plan was a significant error that will require rectification.
Realigning the Purpose of Pandemic Measures: The objective of pandemic measures should have been to minimize the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on society, rather than solely focusing on safeguarding the healthcare system.
Utilizing Hazard Assessment for Targeted Responses: The Hazard Assessment, which continued to identify those most at risk, revealed that lockdowns did not effectively protect them. A more targeted response would have been more appropriate.
Learning from Past Pandemics: The lessons learned from previous pandemics were regrettably disregarded.
Reevaluating Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs): The use of non-pharmaceutical interventions did not significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. Employing them during the initial wave could have been seen as, at best, a mistake. After the first wave, it became a matter of grave concern.
Recognizing the Unintended Consequences of NPIs: NPIs have resulted in substantial collateral harm and loss of life, often surpassing the impact of the virus itself. Public health was aware of this prior to COVID-19, and yet no cost–benefit analysis was conducted. This constituted a grave error.
Holding Leaders Accountable: Public authorities bear responsibility for the response to the pandemic and the perpetuation of fear. Accountability should be enforced.
Safeguarding Our Society and Democracy: Failure to revise our Emergency Management Plan and dispel false beliefs in non-pharmaceutical interventions places our society and democracy in jeopardy.

8.5.2 Follow the “Science“: Real Science or Scientism?

Recommendations

Considering the critical reliance of our modern society on science and technology, there is a need to distinguish knowledge derived from the rigorous scientific method from beliefs often influenced by ideologies and propaganda. To help distinguish between the two, we recommend the following:

Basic training in epistemology and critical thinking should be incorporated into both humanities and scientific or technological education curricula.
Experts who participate in public forums should undergo scrutiny based on the following four fundamental criteria:

Demonstrated cutting-edge knowledge and expertise, as evidenced by their involvement in past or ongoing scientific research, providing proof of their understanding of the subject under discussion.
Lack of conflicts of interest.
Willingness to engage in evidence-based public debates with other experts who may hold differing opinions. Such engagement should involve using rhetoric that avoids ad hominem attacks, appeals to authority, or invoking the mislabelled “scientific consensus.“
The detailed, unedited credentials of these public figures must be made known and available to the public. This will enable the public to ascertain the credibility of such experts.

8.5.3 Epidemiology 101 in the COVID-19 Era

Recommendations

Due to the confusion caused by improper testing for COVID-19, particularly using unvalidated RT-PCR testing, the following recommendations were made:

Pause the use of RT-PCR or rapid antigen testing when it is not accompanied by a thorough medical evaluation of disease symptoms.
Conduct a rigorous validation of RT-PCR testing, including standardized cultivation of the active virus. Establish a defined threshold for the number of amplification cycles that show due use.

Considering the confusion that arose from the lack of transparency in official public data, the following recommendations are added:

Ensure that all government data is consistently and transparently shared with the public for independent evaluation by qualified experts in epidemiology and statistics.
Make any disparities between data analysis, done by the government and data analysis done by independent citizens, subject to review by an impartial advisory committee composed of experts in epidemiology and data analysis. This committee should be regularly vetted through public forums to maintain transparency and accountability.

8.5.4 Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)

Recommendations

In line with the “first, do no harm“ principle and adhering to best medical practices and sound scientific practices, the following recommendations are proposed:

Avoid mandatory health measures, such as lockdowns and universal mask mandates, unless they have been objectively demonstrated through rigorous studies to have a positive benefit-to-risk ratio.
Prioritize diligent implementation of the two non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that have a well-established track record of efficacy in managing respiratory infections: air filtration and isolation of individuals who are both sick and contagious.
Establish a targeted research and development program to investigate the adverse effects of ineffective NPIs, with a specific focus on the impacts of masking children and restricting physical and social activities. The goal is to formally assess the extent of physical and mental health damage and propose tailored remediation measures.
Ensure that scientists and healthcare professionals working within government agencies have access to the best available scientific evidence, free from conflicts of interest, at both national and international levels. This access will enable them to provide politicians with the highest quality and most up-to-date knowledge for decision-making.
Instead of prohibiting them, mandate scientific debates to facilitate the emergence of optimal health measures. Encourage open discussions among experts to foster innovation and evidence-based policy-making.
Actively promote healthy lifestyles that can enhance the immune system through epigenetic mechanisms. A strong immune system forms the foundation for protection against infections, cancers, and autoimmune diseases.

8.5.5 Early Treatments

Recommendations

Given the incontestable better outcomes in countries that deployed early treatments using a panoply of generic molecules with an established safety record for the management of the COVID-19 epidemic, our recommendations are to:

Reinstate positive incentives to allow physicians to practise medicine according to an ethical, personalized, and evidence-based science and art, according to their Hippocratic oath. Repudiate algorithmic centralized protocols and punitive administrative edicts.
Investigate alleged corruption that has interfered with the customary practice of medicine under the fallacious pretext of promoting public health while diverting the health measures to alternative political and commercial interests.
Promote preventative health measures grounded in healthy lifestyles and real food, avoiding processed foods and sugar overconsumption and promoting adequate vitamin supplementation, physical exercise, sufficient sleep, stress management, and a vibrant social life.
Encourage open and evidence-based discussions among healthcare professionals, researchers, and regulatory bodies regarding the use of generic drugs for early COVID-19 treatment.
Review and revise treatment guidelines to include early intervention options that have demonstrated safety and efficacy in large populations. Consider the experience of countries that successfully employed such treatments.
Address institutional corruption by investigating cases of corruption and suppression of early treatments within healthcare institutions and regulatory agencies. Implement measures to ensure transparency and ethical conduct in decision-making.
Support early treatment research into the efficacy and safety of early treatment options for COVID-19 by allocating resources. Promote collaboration between medical professionals and researchers in this field.
Ensure patients give Informed Consent for their chosen treatment by discussing all available treatment options, including early interventions.
Establish independent medical advisory committees, free from conflicts of interest, to assess treatment recommendations and provide guidance to regulatory agencies. Enhance transparency in decision-making.
Promote awareness of vitamin D and its importance in preventing infectious seasonal diseases, especially during the winter months when vitamin D levels tend to decrease. Encourage further research in this area.
Hold public health agencies accountable for conducting systematic analyses of peer-reviewed literature on potential treatments. Ensure that decision-making is evidence-based and prioritizes public health over the public health establishment.

8.5.6 Natural Immunity & Early Treatments Rebuffed to Favour Generalized Vaccination

Recommendations

We recommend the suspension of any further vaccination for COVID-19 until (1) the issues of cGMP production are resolved; (2) the genotoxicity, auto-immunogenicity, and tumorigenicity assays are conducted to the appropriate level for gene therapy products; and (3) rigorous RCTs demonstrate the reduction of morbidity and mortality in a representative population, including the most vulnerable.

Given that there was no efficacy study in the RCT with the mRNA-LNP produced in the commercial manufacturing process and that there were irregularities in the clinical trial process, we recommend that Health Canada require an independent audit of the RCT.

Victims have to be compensated more readily. We also recommend that the government set up a special centre to take care of the vaccine-injured.

Regulatory agencies must revisit the warp-speed-development mindset of the COVID-19 genetic vaccines and rebut the allegation that the mRNA-LNP products have been proven safe and effective and that they can therefore be further used as a vaccine platform for other diseases without proper safety testing.

A Pandora‘s box has been opened, and promoting any future products based on that mRNA-LNP platform technology for expedited marketing, within one year, without the proper efficacy and safety assessment will only perpetuate bad health outcomes of similar magnitude.

In alignment with the views of numerous medical doctors and scientists worldwide, the following recommendations are made:

Immediately halt the use of experimental mRNA-LNP gene therapy injections for COVID-19 prevention.
Approve any future applications of these injections through the standard gene therapy product approval process.
Ensure that the regulatory approval process and recommendations by vaccine immunization committees are reviewed by independent medical and scientific advisory committees without conflicts of interest.
Establish clear safety signal thresholds that would necessitate the automatic removal of any vaccine or therapeutic product from the market, with legal accountability for officials failing to adhere to these pre-established norms.
Acknowledge, treat, and adequately compensate individuals who have experienced vaccine-related injuries.

8.5.7 Interim Authorization of COVID-19 Vaccine

Recommendations

Newly implemented revisions to the Food and Drug Regulations related to the authorization of COVID-19 genetic vaccines must be rescinded as they permanently exempt COVID-19 vaccines from the requirements to objectively prove the safety or efficacy as required under the Food and Drug Regulations.
The current use of COVID-19 genetic vaccines in Canada that were authorized under the revised provisions of the Interim Order and the newly revised Food and Drug Regulations should be stopped immediately.
A full judicial investigation of the process under which the COVID-19 vaccinations were authorized in Canada must be carried out. Criminal liability, if discovered, may be dealt with under existing Canadian law.
All documentation concerning the authorization process and information provided to the regulatory agencies by the manufacturers should be made publicly available.
Legislation should be developed, or amended, to prevent the elimination of the legal requirements to prove that a new drug is objectively safe and that the efficacy of that drug is objectively proven.
The requirement for the regulatory board to carry out a risk–benefit analysis for any and all new drugs under consideration for approval should be codified into law. Written minimum requirements for such a review are to be established. The final decisions should be made on the basis of citizen health considerations not political motivations. The results of the risk–benefit must be made public.
We should review and revise the current relationship between licensing fees paid by pharmaceutical companies and the total budget allocated to Health Canada for drug-related matters. This is necessary to prevent pharmaceutical companies from exerting undue financial influence on the approval agency.
Legislation must be included or revised which re-establishes Canada‘s approval agency as an independent, fact-based agency without reliance on approval agencies from outside of Canada.
Investigate any perceived or existing conflicts of interest that may exist between senior staff of Health Canada and pharmaceutical manufacturers. This may extend to a prescribed time limit prohibition of government agency staff from leaving government service for positions with the pharmaceutical manufacturers.
All investigations recommended in this section are to include the power to compel timely production of information and the power to subpoena witnesses.

8.5.8 Canada‘s Future Approval of New Pharmaceuticals

Recommendations

Revocation of New COVID-19 Regulations: The Commission recommends that the new regulatory process be revoked and that Health Canada return to approving all therapeutics on its historical safety requirements.
Maintain Rigorous Safety Standards: Prioritize patient safety by maintaining rigorous safety standards for drug approval. The safety of new pharmaceuticals should be thoroughly demonstrated through preclinical and clinical trials before approval.
Transparency in Regulatory Changes: Ensure transparency in any regulatory changes related to pharmaceutical approvals. Changes in the approval process should be subject to public consultation and should be clearly communicated to stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and the public.
Independent Expertise: Appoint experts with relevant medical and scientific backgrounds to key positions in the regulatory process. Decision-makers, such as the Minister of Health, should have a strong understanding of medical and scientific principles to make informed decisions about drug approvals.
Balancing Innovation and Safety: Find a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring safety. While innovation is important for advancing healthcare, it should not come at the expense of patient safety. Consider the potential long-term effects of novel drugs on public health.
Monitoring and Post-Market Surveillance: Strengthen post-market surveillance of approved pharmaceuticals. Continuous monitoring of drugs once they are on the market is crucial to detect and address any safety concerns that may arise over time.
Independent Safety Review: Establish an independent body or commission responsible for conducting safety reviews of pharmaceuticals, especially novel biologics and gene therapies. This body should be free from industry influence and focused solely on patient safety.
Public Health Impact Assessment: Conduct thorough assessments of the potential public health impact of new drugs, particularly in the context of pandemics or health emergencies. Consider both short-term and long-term consequences on public health.
Ethical Considerations: Incorporate ethical considerations into the approval process. Ensure that the potential benefits of new pharmaceuticals outweigh the risks and that patient autonomy and Informed Consent are respected.
Regular Reviews of Regulatory Frameworks: Periodically review and update regulatory frameworks to adapt to advances in medical science and changing public health needs. Regulatory changes should prioritize safety while facilitating timely access to beneficial treatments.
International Best Practices: Benchmark Canada‘s regulatory processes against international best practices. Learn from the experiences of other countries with strong pharmaceutical regulatory systems.
Public Awareness and Education: Enhance public awareness and education about the drug approval process, including the rigorous testing and safety measures in place. Informed patients can make better decisions about their healthcare.
Monitoring Economic Impact: While promoting economic development is important, closely monitor the economic impact of regulatory changes. Ensure that economic goals do not compromise patient safety, and make necessary adjustments if conflicts arise.

These recommendations aim to strike a balance between promoting innovation and safeguarding patient safety in Canada‘s pharmaceutical approval process. It‘s crucial to prioritize public health and long-term safety while fostering an environment conducive to innovation and economic growth in the pharmaceutical industry.

8.5.9 Medical Practice and Ethics During COVID-19

Recommendations

A civilian-led detailed investigation must be carried out to determine who (at all levels) were responsible for these breaches of medical ethics and to recommend criminal investigations as appropriate.
Existing senior members of healthcare regulatory agencies responsible for the abandonment of long-held and honoured principles of medical care should, as appropriate, stand criminal investigation.
Each province and territory, including the federal government must establish civilian control and oversight to the existing regulatory agencies, including regularly scheduled and publicly available reviews of their activities. These appointments cannot be politically motivated and should be carried out in public with real input from citizens.
Each Province must Establish an office of the independent Ombudsmen available to both practitioners and patients.
Develop laws making it illegal to deny elderly residents of care facilities from seeing visitors.
Regulatory Agencies must Enforce existing laws concerning patient confidentially, requirement for Informed Consent, and the level of care that is required by each healthcare professional.
Establish laws ending centralized control of individual patient care. Patient care is a matter between a patient and their healthcare provider. This relationship cannot be violated through central government planning edicts. The public health service should never be directing patient care, which is a personal matter between the healthcare provider and the patient.
Ensure that RAW data is promptly and fully disclosed, eliminating the necessity for Access to Information Act (AIA) requests and associated fees, especially when such requests come from patients or researchers.
Mandatory independent experts must be added to all panels who are screened for conflict of interest.
There must be a criminal investigation of the manufacturers and distributers of any of the vaccines that were administered to the public under false and misleading information. If manufacturers and distributors are found to have acted inappropriately, they should bear the costs of these investigations, as well as any damages assessed. The burden of investigation expenses should be placed on the guilty parties.
Ensure Protection for healthcare professionals and journalists acting in good conscience.
No removal of liability protections against manufacturers and regulators.
Strengthen the requirement for healthcare practitioners to independently review and approve of any treatment or procedure that they are recommending to a patient.
Establish an annual requirement for medical ethics training for all healthcare providers; this should be a career long requirement and may be made up of several modules completed through a multi-year process.
Political figures who are responsible for the implementation of these mandatory programs must be held accountable in an open and public forum.
All members of the committees that implemented the mandates must be exposed to the public, including all records of internal discussions and recommendations. An investigation into these actions needs to be carried out and if criminal, unethical, or incompetent actions are identified, punitive actions must be implemented.
Develop and regularly update comprehensive ethical guidelines and standards that cover a wide range of medical and healthcare practices, including areas such as consent, confidentiality, end-of-life care, resource allocation, and conflicts of interest.
Ensure that ethical guidelines are widely accessible to healthcare professionals, patients, and members of the public, fostering transparency and accountability.
Establish and support institutional ethics committees in healthcare organizations, consisting of diverse stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, ethicists, legal experts, members of the public, and patient representatives. Empower these committees to provide guidance, consultation, and ethical review of complex cases, research protocols, and policy development.
Strengthen practices and policies that ensure patients‘ rights to make informed decisions about their healthcare, including the right to refuse treatment, access their medical records, and participate in shared decision-making.
Promote clear communication between healthcare practitioners and patients to enhance understanding and respect for patient autonomy.
Safeguard patient confidentiality and privacy by maintaining strict protocols for the storage, access, and sharing of medical information, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Provide ongoing education and training to healthcare professionals on the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and the potential implications of breaches.
Ensure rigorous ethical review processes for research involving human subjects, promoting Informed Consent, minimizing risks, protecting vulnerable populations, and upholding the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence.
Support the work of Research Ethics Boards (REBs) in reviewing research proposals, monitoring ongoing studies, and ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines.
Foster a culture of ethical leadership and professional conduct in healthcare organizations, emphasizing integrity, honesty, empathy, and accountability at all levels.
Establish mechanisms to address and investigate ethical misconduct or breaches of professional standards, ensuring appropriate consequences and opportunities for remediation.
Engage patients and the public in discussions and decision-making processes related to medical ethics, promoting shared decision-making and incorporating diverse perspectives.
1. By implementing these recommendations, Canada can maintain and strengthen medical ethics, ensuring the highest standards of patient care, while fostering trust between patients and healthcare professionals and upholding the ethical principles that underpin the healthcare system. Regular review, continuous education, and engagement of stakeholders are vital to address evolving ethical challenges and promote ethical behaviour in the medical field.

8.5.10 Canada‘s Vaccine Adverse Reactions Reporting System

Recommendations

To improve the vaccine adverse reactions reporting system, several recommendations must be considered:

Enhance Healthcare Provider Education and Awareness:

Provide comprehensive education and training to healthcare providers on the importance of adverse event reporting, including the recognition and reporting of vaccine-related adverse events.
Streamline the reporting process to make it more user-friendly and efficient.
Provide mandatory ongoing education of public health officials to provide insights into the risks associated with novel drug implementation so that they understand the difference between traditional vaccine-type medications and new biologic medications.
Ensure that on the release of any new drug that all parties involved with the administration or monitoring are fully aware of the actual nature of the drugs under consideration. Some of the shortfalls in the system during COVID-19 had to do with a lack of understanding concerning the nature of these injections.
Provide re-education for colleges of physicians and surgeons across Canada on the principle behind procedures required and the importance of the adverse event monitoring system.

Promote Public Awareness and Engagement:

Launch public awareness campaigns to educate the general public about the importance of reporting vaccine adverse events.
Provide accessible information on how and where to report adverse events, emphasizing the role individuals play in vaccine safety monitoring.
Provide a portal through which patients can directly report their alleged vaccine injuries to the system.
Encourage vaccine recipients and caregivers to report any adverse events they observe following vaccination.

Improve Reporting Infrastructure:

Develop user-friendly online reporting platforms or mobile applications to simplify and streamline the reporting process for healthcare providers and the public.
Ensure reporting mechanisms are easily accessible, with clear instructions and options for reporting adverse events, including user-friendly interfaces and multilingual support.

Implement Active Surveillance Systems:

Augment passive surveillance systems with active surveillance components to actively identify and monitor adverse events, especially rare or serious events that may be missed through passive reporting alone.
Augment passive surveillance systems with active surveillance components to actively identify and monitor patient complaints and trends or patterns of patient complaints following a drug rollout.
Implement proactive strategies, such as automated electronic health record data mining, to identify potential safety signals and conduct targeted investigations.

Strengthen Collaboration and Data Sharing:

Foster collaboration between different stakeholders, including healthcare providers, public health agencies, vaccine manufacturers, and research institutions, to facilitate seamless data sharing and exchange of information.
Immediately end the practice of public health officials directly contacting patients and advising them to undertake medical procedures contrary to the attending physician‘s instructions.
Enhance integration between national and international vaccine safety networks to leverage collective expertise, share best practices, and collaborate on investigations of global vaccine safety concerns.

Ensure Timely Analysis and Communication of Findings:

Prioritize timely analysis of reported adverse events to identify potential safety signals promptly.
Ensure that those evaluating the data are capable of recognizing and analyzing the data, despite their professional biases.
Ensure clear and transparent communication of findings to healthcare providers, the public, and other relevant stakeholders, while considering the balance between timely communication and the need for thorough investigation.

Continuous Evaluation and Improvement:

Regularly assess the performance and effectiveness of the reporting system, including feedback from healthcare providers, the public, and other stakeholders, to identify areas for improvement.
Incorporate advancements in technology and data analytics to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of adverse event reporting and analysis.

By implementing these recommendations, the vaccine adverse reporting system can become more robust, efficient, and responsive, leading to improved vaccine safety monitoring and better protection of public health.

8.5.11 Delivery of Healthcare Services During the Pandemic

Recommendations

Based on the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, several recommendations could be made to improve the healthcare system and prevent similar disruptions to normal healthcare services in the future.

These recommendations focus on building resilience, preparedness, and adaptability in the healthcare system. Here are some key suggestions:

Ensure Proper Emergency Response, Planning, and Implementation: Public health officials are not trained in the planning and implementing of national integrated emergency response to major public health emergencies. In future, the responsibility for planning and implementing such emergency plans must be undertaken by the emergency measures organizations that already exist for this purpose. Public health must play an active role as technical consultant to the Emergency Measures apparatus but should never be placed in control of it.
Invest in Healthcare Infrastructure: Strengthen the healthcare infrastructure by first rationalizing the current inventory and capacity of the system, and then increasing the capacity of hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities, if required. This may include investing in more beds, medical equipment, and essential supplies to handle potential surges in patient volumes and designating alternative facilities and mechanisms to share resources across provincial jurisdictions.
Enhance Telehealth Services: Expand and promote telehealth services to provide virtual consultations and healthcare support. Telehealth can reduce the burden on physical healthcare facilities, increase accessibility to healthcare services, and ensure continuity of care during emergencies.
Improve Data Collection and Analysis: Establish a robust data collection and analysis system to monitor healthcare resources, disease outbreaks, and public health trends. Timely and accurate data can help inform evidence-based decision-making and resource allocation during crises.
Maintain Strategic Stockpiles: Create and maintain strategic stockpiles of essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and medications. These stockpiles can help mitigate shortages during emergencies and protect healthcare workers.
Support Healthcare Workforce: Ensure the wellbeing and resilience of healthcare workers by providing mental health support, appropriate training for handling emergencies, and fair compensation. A strong and supported workforce is crucial in times of crisis.
Improve Collaboration and Communication: Enhance coordination and communication between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, as well as with healthcare providers and public health agencies. Effective communication channels can facilitate rapid response and the dissemination of critical information.
Pandemic Preparedness Plans: Develop and regularly update comprehensive pandemic preparedness plans at all levels of the healthcare system. These plans should outline specific strategies and protocols for managing various types of pandemics and health emergencies.
Training and Dissemination of Emergency Plans: As seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, existing plans were sidelined and many healthcare workers were not aware of the existence of any plans. Emergency plans must be distributed widely and reviewed with healthcare workers at all levels, and the public should have access to seminars and information sessions. The best plan in the world if unseen and unrehearsed is useless.
Public Health Education and Awareness: Strengthen public health education and awareness programs to inform the general population about disease prevention, natural immune system upkeep, and appropriate healthcare-seeking behaviour during outbreaks.
Supply Chain Resilience: Diversify and strengthen the supply chain for essential medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and minimize disruptions during global crises.
Regional Response Capacity: Establish regional response capacities to handle healthcare crises, allowing for more focused responses in areas heavily affected by outbreaks while maintaining healthcare services in other regions.
Long-Term Care Facilities: Implement improved infection control measures in long-term care facilities to protect vulnerable populations during outbreaks and prioritize their healthcare needs.
Flexible Healthcare Services: Develop flexible healthcare service models that can quickly adapt to changing circumstances. This could involve creating mobile healthcare units, flexible staffing arrangements, and alternative care facilities during emergencies.

Implementing these recommendations requires a collective effort from governments, healthcare providers, communities, and individuals. By learning from the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and taking proactive measures, Canada can enhance its healthcare system‘s resilience and better protect the health and wellbeing of its citizens in the face of future health emergencies.

8.5.12 Public Workplaces and Pandemic Measures

Recommendations

Employers mandating vaccinations for all employees in the workplace must provide verifiable data proving vaccine safety and efficacy, outlining the risks and benefits, including any and all adverse effects and provide employees with satisfactory options in the event of vaccine hesitancy and/or refusal.
Ensure employers‘ duty to adequately train staff in workplace health and safety procedures and to inform supervisors and managers of their respective responsibilities includes establishing the importance and applicability of all related legislation, including the Canada Constitution, 1867, and specific Acts such as the Personal Health Information Act.
Unions have an obligation to balance employee protections with arbitrary decisions and compliance orders made by employers. Unions must be required to undertake an exhaustive inquiry of the facts contributing to a grievance particularly when the complaint involves personal choice, bodily autonomy, constitutional protections, and the right to refuse unsafe work conditions.
When employer–employee conflicts arise from employer mandates requiring vaccination, the union must intervene with the intention of seeking a satisfactory resolution, inclusive of reviewing employer policies and collective bargaining agreements relating to sick leave and disability benefits to determine eligibility [re: extenuating circumstances].
Terminated unvaccinated claimants who were denied EI benefits based on misconduct must have their files re-assessed to determine whether the alleged breach in the employer-employee relationship came about because of employer forced mandates, coercion, and a person‘s right to choose bodily autonomy; a new decision must be rendered.
Ensure affirmative defences are available for all employees working in publicly funded institutions, including transparent appeal processes.
When non-arm‘s length publicly funded agencies enter into a partnership [such as the partnership between CBC and the Public Health Agency of Canada], there should be legislative assurances that the objectives of the newly intertwined relationships are not contradictory.

8.5.13 Alleged Denial of Medical Treatment Due to Pandemic Measures

Recommendations

To prevent situations such as the one faced by Ms. Sheila Lewis from arising in the future, a comprehensive, balanced, and transparent approach needs to be taken. The Commission makes the following recommendations:

Effective Communication and Education: Both healthcare providers and patients must be committed to effectively communicating with each other. Given the grave consequences of any decisions made, each side must be committed to educating themselves with ALL SIDES of the discussion, which also requires listening to and understanding alternative opinions, and a mandatory review of the latest information available. This must be combined with a detailed and comprehensive list of objective reasons for any decision being made. Following policy is not a defence.
Policy Review and Transparency: Vaccination policies within healthcare institutions should be regularly reviewed and updated based on evolving scientific evidence. The reasoning behind these policies should be transparent and easily accessible to patients. Policies should be implemented in a non-discriminatory manner and should consider unique circumstances and exceptions.
Ethics Consultations: Complex decisions involving individual rights and public health should involve consultation with ethics committees. These independent bodies can provide guidance on balancing the competing values at stake, ensuring that any decisions made are fair and respectful of patients‘ rights.
Legal Framework: Legislation should clearly outline the rights and responsibilities of patients and healthcare providers in the context of public health interventions like vaccinations. Clear legal guidelines can help prevent potential abuses and ensure that individuals‘ rights are respected and protected.
Patient Advocacy: Encourage and support the role of patient advocates who can provide a voice for patients, ensuring that they understand their rights and are adequately represented in discussions about their healthcare.
Psychosocial Support: Provide support services for patients who may be experiencing distress or facing potential discrimination due to their vaccination status.
Community Engagement: Engage with communities to understand their concerns and attitudes towards vaccination. This can inform more effective communication strategies and foster trust.
“Citizen Overview Committee“ or “Public Health Review Board“: Establish independent review boards to provide an additional level of oversight and accountability for public health decisions, ensuring that these decisions balance public safety with individual rights. Here‘s how such a committee might operate:

Composition: The committee should be comprised of diverse representatives from various backgrounds, including but not limited to healthcare, public policy, law, ethics, social work and patient advocacy. Members should include individuals from different age groups, socioeconomic statuses, ethnicities, and professional backgrounds to ensure a broad range of perspectives. Importantly, the committee should include members of the public who can represent the citizens‘ perspective. Each province should be required to set up these boards.
Operation: The committee should be convened quickly in response to situations that warrant review. This requires a streamlined protocol for initiating reviews and an efficient method of communication among committee members. Given the urgency of public health decisions, the committee should aim to conclude reviews and deliver a decision within 21 days or less, depending on the situation.
Authority: The committee should have a clearly defined mandate, including the power to request documents, to call witnesses, and to access relevant information. The decisions of the committee should be advisory but carry significant weight in policy decisions.
Transparency: The committee‘s deliberations should be conducted with a high degree of transparency, while respecting necessary privacy laws. Decisions should be publicly accessible, and the reasoning behind each decision should be clearly explained.
Training: Committee members should receive training to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively review public health policy decisions. This could include training in healthcare ethics, public health policy, legal aspects of healthcare, and conflict resolution.
Review and Accountability: The operation of the committee should be periodically reviewed to ensure that it is fulfilling its mandate effectively. This could involve surveys of stakeholders, review of decisions, and an analysis of the impact of the committee‘s recommendations.

The justification for a Citizen Overview Committee for public health decisions hinges upon several key democratic principles: representation, accountability, transparency and promotion of the public good.

Representation: Democracy operates on the principle of “government by the people, for the people.” Having decisions that affect public health made by (or under the review of) the very individuals it impacts ensures that a diverse range of perspectives and experiences are considered. This can lead to more balanced and equitable policy outcomes.
Accountability: Public officials, even if unelected, should be accountable to the citizens they serve. A Citizen Overview Committee provides a mechanism for holding these officials accountable for their decisions. This creates a system of checks and balances, ensuring that public health decisions are being made in the best interest of the community.
Transparency: The decision-making process should be transparent to the public. This fosters trust in the system and ensures that policies are implemented fairly and with clear justification. A Citizen Overview Committee, particularly one that makes its findings public, promotes this transparency.
Promotion of the Public Good: Public health decisions should be aimed at promoting the public good. However, the definition of “public good” can vary widely among individuals and communities. A Citizen Overview Committee helps to define the public good in a way that reflects the values and needs of the community.
Accessibility and Inclusion: The committee ensures the voices of marginalized or underrepresented groups are heard in policy-making. This can lead to more inclusive decisions that consider the impacts on all community members.

By basing public health decision-making in democratic principles, a Citizen Overview Committee can ensure that policies are equitable, just, and truly reflective of the community‘s needs and values. This approach provides a mechanism to challenge and rectify decisions that may be deemed as unduly harmful or unfair, fostering greater trust and cohesion within the community.

This type of committee could help to ensure that public health policy decisions are subject to rigorous and transparent review, thereby increasing public trust and ensuring a more balanced approach to managing public health crises.

Preventing situations like this from arising in the future requires a commitment and concerted effort from healthcare providers, policymakers, and the community. An approach that respects individual rights while protecting public health is essential. It is a vital and delicate balance, but with empathy, transparency, and open dialogue, it is fully achievable.

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