Detailed Commissioner Report Info Referenced in the Report National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) Investigation: Are Children Safe in Canada April 30, 2025 Report ID: Publication Date No. Of Pages: NCI-R-04 April 30, 2024 1267 April 13, 2023 Report National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) Investigation: Are Children Safe in Canada April 30, 2025 Main Topic Purpose and Need for the NCI The National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) was established in response to growing public concerns over the Canadian government’s handling of the COVID-19 event. As the COVID-19 emergency measures unfolded, questions arose regarding the appropriateness and efficacy of the measures implemented, including lockdowns, mandates, and the deployment of COVID-19 “vaccines.” These concerns fuelled the need for a thorough examination of the impact these policies had on health, the economy, on society and civil liberties. The NCI, conceived as an independent and citizen led initiative, sought to comprehensively investigate these issues. Its primary purpose was to provide a platform for individuals and experts to share their experiences, insights, and evidence, in order to uncover the truth, hold authorities accountable, and improve future public health responses. On November 28, 2023, the NCI Commissioners released their comprehensive final report, titled Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada . A year later, on November 28, 2024, a supplemental report was issued as part of the NCI’s ongoing efforts to address new and emerging concerns related to the COVID-19 investigation. Having completed its original mandate of investigating the appropriateness and efficacy of the COVID-19 measures, the NCI expanded its focus. After consulting with a broad range of Canadians, the NCI recognized a significant public concern regarding the current state of children's safety in Canada. Consequently, the NCI undertook a new investigation specifically aimed at evaluating and safeguarding the well-being of children across the country. One Line Summary Heading 2 Synopsis Heading 2

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript group home manager, adults with disabilities, forensic residential care, stroke survivor, vaccine mandate refusal, medical privacy disclosure, unpaid leave December 2021, employment status unresolved, EI backdated claim, relocation Alberta, financial hardship impact, workplace accommodation request, remote work proposal, rights education irony, social division consequences Included in the Report: Ms. Darcy Harsch Disability Support Worker Personal Experience Witness ID: NCI-W-192 Hearing Red Deer Alberta Date: April 28, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Unpaid leave following refusal to disclose vaccination status under employer COVID-19 mandate and resulting financial and personal impacts. One Line Summary Group home manager placed on unpaid leave after refusing to disclose vaccination status describes financial hardship, relocation, and ongoing employment limbo. Synopsis Darcy Harsch testified that after suffering a stroke in 2016 and losing his landscaping business, he retrained and began working with adults with disabilities, eventually becoming a manager in a forensic group home in Kelowna, British Columbia. He described overseeing residents with significant behavioural and legal challenges and noted that part of his role involved regularly teaching residents about their rights and freedoms. When COVID-19 emerged, he observed workplace fear and uncertainty and stated that he became cautious about vaccination due to his prior medical misdiagnosis and observed adverse reactions among colleagues. As vaccine mandates were introduced in his sector, Harsch testified that he approached his employer to explore alternatives, including remote work or consideration of a different vaccine option. In November 2021, the employer implemented a mandate requiring disclosure of vaccination status by December 10, with unpaid leave as the consequence of non-compliance. He refused to disclose his medical information and was placed on unpaid leave effective that date. He stated that he remains technically employed but has not received pay for over a year and was not initially informed that a Record of Employment had been submitted. Harsch testified that he and his wife experienced significant financial hardship, ultimately relocating to Alberta in search of employment. He later applied for Employment Insurance after learning others in similar situations had successfully claimed benefits and received some support. He described strained relationships with friends and family due to mandate-related disagreements and noted the irony of having taught clients about rights and freedoms while feeling those same rights were denied to him. He is currently employed in a different industry managing an RV resort. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Detailed Commissioner Report Info Referenced in the Report National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) Investigation: Are Children Safe in Canada April 30, 2025 Report ID: Publication Date No. Of Pages: NCI-R-04 April 30, 2024 1267 May 18, 2023 Report National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) Investigation: Are Children Safe in Canada April 30, 2025 Main Topic Purpose and Need for the NCI The National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) was established in response to growing public concerns over the Canadian government’s handling of the COVID-19 event. As the COVID-19 emergency measures unfolded, questions arose regarding the appropriateness and efficacy of the measures implemented, including lockdowns, mandates, and the deployment of COVID-19 “vaccines.” These concerns fuelled the need for a thorough examination of the impact these policies had on health, the economy, on society and civil liberties. The NCI, conceived as an independent and citizen led initiative, sought to comprehensively investigate these issues. Its primary purpose was to provide a platform for individuals and experts to share their experiences, insights, and evidence, in order to uncover the truth, hold authorities accountable, and improve future public health responses. On November 28, 2023, the NCI Commissioners released their comprehensive final report, titled Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada . A year later, on November 28, 2024, a supplemental report was issued as part of the NCI’s ongoing efforts to address new and emerging concerns related to the COVID-19 investigation. Having completed its original mandate of investigating the appropriateness and efficacy of the COVID-19 measures, the NCI expanded its focus. After consulting with a broad range of Canadians, the NCI recognized a significant public concern regarding the current state of children's safety in Canada. Consequently, the NCI undertook a new investigation specifically aimed at evaluating and safeguarding the well-being of children across the country. One Line Summary Heading 2 Synopsis Heading 2

Detailed Commissioner Report Info Referenced in the Report National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) Investigation: Are Children Safe in Canada April 30, 2025 Report ID: Publication Date No. Of Pages: NCI-R-04 April 30, 2024 1267 May 18, 2023 Report National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) Investigation: Are Children Safe in Canada April 30, 2025 Main Topic Purpose and Need for the NCI The National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) was established in response to growing public concerns over the Canadian government’s handling of the COVID-19 event. As the COVID-19 emergency measures unfolded, questions arose regarding the appropriateness and efficacy of the measures implemented, including lockdowns, mandates, and the deployment of COVID-19 “vaccines.” These concerns fuelled the need for a thorough examination of the impact these policies had on health, the economy, on society and civil liberties. The NCI, conceived as an independent and citizen led initiative, sought to comprehensively investigate these issues. Its primary purpose was to provide a platform for individuals and experts to share their experiences, insights, and evidence, in order to uncover the truth, hold authorities accountable, and improve future public health responses. On November 28, 2023, the NCI Commissioners released their comprehensive final report, titled Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada . A year later, on November 28, 2024, a supplemental report was issued as part of the NCI’s ongoing efforts to address new and emerging concerns related to the COVID-19 investigation. Having completed its original mandate of investigating the appropriateness and efficacy of the COVID-19 measures, the NCI expanded its focus. After consulting with a broad range of Canadians, the NCI recognized a significant public concern regarding the current state of children's safety in Canada. Consequently, the NCI undertook a new investigation specifically aimed at evaluating and safeguarding the well-being of children across the country. One Line Summary Heading 2 Synopsis Heading 2

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript 28 weeks remote learning Ontario, student disengagement 50 percent attendance, assignment completion decline, do no harm grading policy, pandemic teaching restrictions, cohort segregation schoolyards, mask enforcement stress, learning skills deficit, increased school violence, absenteeism increase, special needs mask intolerance, teacher burnout attrition, Sweden no school closures comparison, cost benefit failure claim, standardized test bar lowering concern Included in the Report: Mr. Jay McCurdy Elementary School Teacher Both (Expert and Personal Experience) Witness ID: NCI-W-068 Hearing Toronto Ontario Date: April 1, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Impact of prolonged school closures, remote learning, masking, and pandemic restrictions on children’s academic performance, mental health, and social development. One Line Summary Veteran elementary teacher Jay McCurdy testified that 28 weeks of remote learning and prolonged school restrictions in Ontario caused lasting academic deficits, increased violence, emotional distress, and long-term system strain. Synopsis Jay McCurdy testified that Ontario students experienced approximately 28 weeks of remote learning between spring 2020 and the 2021–2022 school year, along with repeated lockdowns, extended breaks, cohorting, distancing, and strict masking policies. He stated that remote participation rates often fell to 50 percent or lower, with assignment completion closer to 30 percent in some cases, particularly after students learned that grades could not decline under a “do no harm” evaluation policy. He described remote learning as largely ineffective and disproportionately harmful to disadvantaged students lacking reliable internet or home support. Upon returning to in-person schooling, McCurdy testified that students demonstrated significant academic lag, reduced resilience, poor persistence with tasks, heightened anxiety, and substantial gaps in basic literacy and numeracy acquisition. He also reported increased behavioural incidents and schoolyard violence, describing conflicts escalating more quickly than pre-pandemic norms. He attributed these changes to prolonged social isolation, cohort segregation, extracurricular cancellation, and sustained fear messaging. He further testified that masking created psychological stress, especially for younger children and those with special needs, including a family member with autism who was unable to tolerate mask requirements and stopped attending school. McCurdy stated that no formal cost–benefit analysis appeared to guide school closure decisions and that teachers were not consulted prior to implementation of mandates. He testified that early retirements, stress leaves, staffing shortages, and use of under-qualified supply personnel have strained the education system. In his view, academic standards must eventually return to pre-pandemic levels, but he expressed concern that some learning losses—particularly in formative developmental years—may not be fully recoverable. He concluded that children were not adequately centred in pandemic policy decisions and warned against repeating similar measures without broad stakeholder consultation and rigorous analysis. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript Moderna vaccination, dermatological reaction onset, full-body burning sensation, emergency room delay, lack of family doctor, Dupixent treatment, long-term injection therapy, medical dismissal claims, Quebec healthcare access, Ontario specialist referral, compensation paperwork refusal, media outreach, Morocco medical consultations, alleged vaccine injury, chronic inflammatory condition Included in the Report: Mr. M Tisir Otahbachi Gig Worker Personal Experience Witness ID: NCI-W-270 Hearing Ottawa Ontario Date: May 17, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Severe dermatological reaction following COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent challenges accessing medical care and recognition One Line Summary M Tisir Otahbachi testified that he developed a severe chronic skin reaction after Moderna vaccination and faced prolonged difficulty obtaining medical acknowledgment and treatment. Synopsis M Tisir Otahbachi testified that he received two doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in July and August 2021, after which he developed a progressively worsening dermatological condition beginning with a blister on his hand and expanding to most of his body. He described intense burning sensations, inability to shower normally for extended periods, and eventual inability to continue working as a mover and rideshare driver. He stated that his symptoms began approximately ten days after his first dose and intensified following the second dose. He testified that he experienced significant difficulty accessing medical care in Quebec, including extended emergency room wait times and an inability to secure a family physician. He stated that several physicians dismissed a possible connection to vaccination, while one Ottawa-based specialist told him the condition was likely vaccine-related and initiated treatment with Dupixent injections twice monthly. He reported that the medication provides temporary relief but does not resolve the condition and may be required long term or permanently. Otahbachi further stated that some physicians declined to sign documentation related to compensation, citing concerns about professional repercussions. He reported traveling to Ontario and later to Morocco in search of additional medical opinions, which he said confirmed the chronic nature of his condition. He concluded by expressing concern about healthcare system access, physician availability, and what he described as reluctance to attribute adverse reactions to vaccination. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript Family Estrangement, Vaccine Status Division, Social Ostracization, Church Vaccine Passport, Christmas Service Segregation, Undeclared Section Isolation, Religious Freedom Concern, Business Travel Ban, Flight Mandate Restriction, Cross-Country Driving Requirement, Networking Exclusion, Living Alone Lockdown, Mental Health Decline, Students Against Mandates Support, Bodily Autonomy Belief Included in the Report: Mr. Steven Setka Freight Broker Personal Experience Witness ID: NCI-W-107 Hearing Winnipeg Manitoba Date: April 15, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Testimony describing family estrangement, church segregation through vaccine passport enforcement, travel restrictions impacting business operations, and significant mental health effects resulting from vaccine mandates and lockdown policies. One Line Summary Freight broker Steven Setka testified that vaccine mandates fractured family relationships, segregated him at church, restricted business travel, and caused prolonged mental health strain during lockdowns. Synopsis Steven Setka testified that prior to the pandemic he was part of a close-knit extended family in Winnipeg that gathered regularly for holidays, sporting activities, and social events. As the pandemic progressed and he chose not to be vaccinated, divisions emerged within his extended family. He stated that some households no longer invited him to gatherings, and that vaccinated members were welcomed while unvaccinated members were excluded. He described long-term damage to family relationships and feelings of ostracization tied to vaccination status and differing views on government restrictions. Setka also described his experience at Oasis Church during the implementation of vaccine passport policies. He met with church leadership to express concern about separating congregants by vaccination status. At a Christmas Eve service, he attended the designated section for undeclared individuals and testified that he was the only person seated in that segregated area while approximately 1,000 attended the main service. He subsequently left the church and joined another congregation that he said emphasized personal autonomy and Charter freedoms. Professionally, Setka testified that travel bans and flight mandates prevented him from attending work conventions in Canada and the United States, requiring him and his business partner to drive long distances to fulfill obligations. He stated that prolonged isolation, living alone during portions of lockdown, and exclusion from social and professional networks led to significant feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, and depression. He expressed the view that pandemic policy should have emphasized individual autonomy, personal responsibility, and risk choice rather than enforced restrictions. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript Pfizer vaccine reaction, facial numbness onset, full-body numbness, severe itching episodes, cognitive impairment decline, memory loss impact, anxiety escalation, hospital dismissal anxiety, 811 emergency referral, second dose worsening, exemption denial physician, neurologist referral, MRI testing, MS diagnosis March 2023, functional decline fatigue Included in the Report: Ms. Jennifer Curry Service Industry Worker Personal Experience Witness ID: NCI-W-193 Hearing Red Deer Alberta Date: April 28, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Severe neurological, dermatological, and cognitive symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. One Line Summary Former federal contract worker describes immediate numbness, severe itching, cognitive decline, and later multiple sclerosis diagnosis following COVID-19 vaccination. Synopsis Jennifer Curry testified that she received her first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose on October 23, 2021, primarily due to employment requirements and financial stability tied to her federal contract position. Within minutes of leaving the vaccination site, she experienced facial numbness that progressed to full-body numbness, intense itching sensations described as crawling or moving under the skin, and escalating anxiety. She sought medical attention after being advised by a health hotline, but stated that hospital staff attributed her symptoms largely to anxiety rather than a physical reaction. Over the following days, visible facial scratching developed and cognitive symptoms emerged, including significant short-term memory impairment affecting her work performance. Despite persistent symptoms, she received a second dose on November 13, 2021, after being unable to obtain a medical exemption. She testified that symptoms intensified following the second injection, including worsening numbness, severe pruritus triggered by light touch or water, fatigue, cognitive slowing, and increased emotional distress. She reported repeated medical visits, neurologist referrals, MRIs, and further diagnostic testing after months of ongoing symptoms. Curry stated that on March 23, 2023, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after presenting with neurological signs including numbness, cognitive dysfunction, bowel issues, stiffness, dizziness, and visual disturbances. She testified that she had no prior history of such symptoms and believes the vaccination precipitated or triggered her condition. She described long-term physical limitations, decreased strength and stamina, persistent cognitive impairment, and significant social and emotional impacts resulting from her health decline. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript School Closures Impact, Third Bucket Children, Education Collapse, Online Learning Failure, Teen Dropout Surge, Policy Crime Allegation, Leadership Failure, Compulsory Attendance Breakdown, Undereducation Crisis, Youth Mental Health Framing, Catch-Up Education, Prolonged Ontario Closures, Pandemic Policy Critique, Educational Duty Principle, Long-Term Societal Destabilization Included in the Report: Dr. Irvin Studin PhD Public Policy Scholar Expert Witness ID: NCI-W-076 Hearing Toronto Ontario Date: April 1, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic School closures during COVID created a large population of “third bucket” children who received little or no education, resulting in long-term societal harm. One Line Summary Dr. Irvin Studin testified that prolonged pandemic school closures created tens of thousands of “third bucket” children with little or no education, constituting a major policy failure with long-term consequences for Canada. Synopsis Dr. Irvin Studin testified that pandemic-era school closures, particularly in Ontario, produced a large population of what he termed “third bucket” children—students who were neither in physical school nor meaningfully engaged in virtual learning, but effectively receiving no education at all. He distinguished three categories: in-person schooling, online schooling, and “no school,” arguing that large numbers of children fell into the third category due to prolonged closures, weak attendance enforcement, lack of internet access, unstable home environments, language barriers, disabilities, and teenage disengagement. He estimated that at peak closures, as many as 200,000 Canadian children may have been pushed into this condition. Studin characterized extended school closures beyond the early months of the pandemic as “policy crimes,” asserting that leaders failed to recognize or respond to the cascading educational damage. He testified that school boards, public health officials, and political leaders collectively abdicated their duty to protect children’s right to education, and that no serious national effort was made to identify and reintegrate students who disengaged. He emphasized that once adolescents exited virtual schooling, the cost of permanent disengagement was extremely low and often unnoticed. He argued that Canada now faces widespread under education, diminished academic standards, and long-term societal destabilization if corrective action is not taken. Studin called for an urgent, high-energy national educational recovery effort—actively locating disengaged students, reintegrating them into formal schooling, and significantly intensifying academic expectations. He framed education as a primary adult duty owed to children, asserting that failure to uphold this responsibility has lasting consequences for both individual lives and the country’s future. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript rural BC physician, Lytton emergency doctor, gene-based vaccine critique, D-dimer testing findings, microvascular clotting hypothesis, neurological injury reports, vaccine injury reporting denial, CAEFISS system criticism, CAERS reporting distinction, natural immunity argument, emergency room termination, College discipline proceedings, spike protein biodistribution claim, fertility concerns raised, excess hospitalization analysis Included in the Report: Dr. Charles Hoffe MD Physician Both (Expert and Personal Experience) Witness ID: NCI-W-207 Hearing Vancouver British Columbia Date: May 3, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Clinical observations of neurological injury and microvascular clotting following COVID-19 vaccination, professional discipline, and critique of vaccine safety oversight. One Line Summary Rural BC physician testifies to observed post-vaccine neurological symptoms, positive D-dimer findings, professional sanctions, and concerns about regulatory oversight. Synopsis Dr. Charles Hoffe, a family physician and long-serving rural emergency room doctor in Lytton, British Columbia, testified regarding his clinical observations following the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. He described early concerns about gene-based vaccine platforms and stated that he began observing neurological symptoms, chronic pain, weakness, and other health issues in patients shortly after vaccination. He reported conducting D-dimer blood tests on a small group of patients, stating that a portion showed elevated levels consistent with clotting activity, which he interpreted as possible microvascular injury. He testified that after communicating safety concerns to colleagues and public health officials, he was warned not to express negative views about the vaccines in his professional capacity and was later removed from emergency room duties after advising a previously infected patient that a second dose was unnecessary due to natural immunity. He stated that vaccine injury reports he submitted through the government reporting system were denied and characterized the national surveillance system as inadequate. He distinguished between the governmental CAEFISS reporting system and the non-governmental CAERS reporting initiative. Dr. Hoffe further presented data and international comparisons which, in his view, demonstrated increased infection and hospitalization rates among vaccinated populations and raised concerns regarding immune system effects and fertility trends. He described an upcoming disciplinary hearing before the College of Physicians and Surgeons and asserted that regulatory bodies were dismissing safety signals. He concluded that professional pressure discouraged open scientific debate and that the pandemic response constituted a broader ethical test for institutions and individuals. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript Manitoba Anti-Lockdown Protests, Legislature Rally May 2020, Winnipeg Free Press Defamation, Manitoba Five Arrests, Public Health Gathering Tickets, Bail Restrictions Protest Ban, Blue Bomber Stadium Post Arrest, Major Crimes Unit Arrest, Mental Health Rallies, Unequal Enforcement Allegation, Black Lives Matter Contrast, Charter Challenge Gateway Case, PCR False Positive Claim, Outdoor Spread Evidence Dispute, Great Barrington Support Included in the Report: Mr. Patrick Allard Renovation Contractor Personal Experience Witness ID: NCI-W-092 Hearing Winnipeg Manitoba Date: April 14, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Testimony describing organizing anti-lockdown protests, receiving multiple fines and arrests for public health order violations, alleged unequal enforcement, and Charter challenges against Manitoba COVID measures. One Line Summary Renovation contractor Patrick Allard testified that he organized anti-lockdown rallies in Winnipeg, received numerous fines and arrests—including as part of the “Manitoba Five”—and alleged selective enforcement and constitutional violations during COVID restrictions. Synopsis Patrick Allard testified that he owns a Winnipeg-based renovation company and began publicly opposing COVID restrictions in early 2020 after observing business closures, nursing home isolation, and school shutdowns. He organized his first rally at the Manitoba Legislature on May 9, 2020, and stated that media outlets labeled participants as extremists. He described becoming a visible organizer of ongoing protests and mental health rallies aimed at countering isolation, stating that he temporarily paused his business to advocate for individuals he believed were unfairly harmed by lockdown measures. He testified that he received his first public health ticket on November 4, 2020, for participating in an outdoor gathering of approximately 30 people. Over time, he received multiple additional tickets related to gatherings and mask violations and was later arrested as part of what became known as the “Manitoba Five.” He described being jailed, placed under bail conditions prohibiting the promotion of gatherings, and later re-arrested after a Facebook post calling for protest action near a Winnipeg Blue Bombers football game. He testified that plainclothes officers from a major crimes unit executed the arrest, which he said caused emotional distress to his young daughter. Allard further testified that enforcement was selectively applied, stating that protests opposing COVID measures resulted in tickets and arrests, whereas other public demonstrations were permitted without enforcement. He referenced Charter challenges to Manitoba’s health orders, including arguments related to outdoor transmission evidence and PCR testing accuracy raised in the Gateway case. He concluded that governments should have followed a focused protection approach similar to the Great Barrington Declaration rather than imposing broad restrictions, and expressed concern about potential recurrence of similar measures in the future. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript AstraZeneca dose, Pfizer second dose, mixed vaccination, Bell’s palsy, facial paralysis, feeding tube, 17-day hospitalization, neurological deficits, hearing loss, vertigo symptoms, Alberta Health Services call, booster recommendation, Vaccine Injury Support Program, lump-sum compensation, media resistance Included in the Report: Ms. Carrie Sakamoto Private Citizen Personal Experience Witness ID: NCI-W-151 Hearing Saskatoon Saskatchewan Date: April 22, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Severe neurological complications following mixed COVID-19 vaccination and subsequent acceptance into the federal Vaccine Injury Support Program. One Line Summary Alberta woman describes persistent paralysis and neurological damage after mixed COVID-19 vaccination and later acceptance into injury compensation program. Synopsis Carrie Sakamoto testified that she received an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in April 2021 and a Pfizer vaccine in June 2021 after AstraZeneca was withdrawn in Alberta. She reported developing flu-like symptoms immediately after the second dose, followed by worsening fever, severe headache, vomiting, and facial drooping approximately one week later. She was hospitalized and diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which she described as severe, involving facial paralysis, partial paralysis of her tongue and esophagus, difficulty swallowing requiring a feeding tube, and a 17-day hospital stay. She stated that multiple specialists evaluated her and informed her that the injury was related to the Pfizer vaccine. Ms. Sakamoto testified that two years later she continues to experience persistent facial paralysis, throat paralysis, hearing loss requiring a hearing aid, vertigo, neurological symptoms, and memory difficulties. She reported that after discharge from hospital, she received phone calls from Alberta Health Services advising her that a booster dose was safe despite her ongoing injury. She stated that this advice was confusing given her condition and her physicians’ assessment that the vaccine had caused the damage. She applied to the federal Vaccine Injury Support Program and, after approximately 20 months, was accepted and provided a lump-sum payment and ongoing medical coverage. She stated that the injury affected her independence and family life, leading her family to sell their farm and relocate. She also described difficulty obtaining mainstream media coverage of her case and turned to social media to share her experience and advocate for recognition of vaccine-related injuries. 🔎 How to Search the Transcript Click the “Read Transcript” button to open the witness testimony in your browser. Once the transcript PDF is open, you can search for any word or phrase within the document using your browser’s search feature: Windows: Press Ctrl + F Mac: Press Command (⌘) + F A small search box will appear. Type the word or phrase you are looking for, and the browser will highlight every occurrence within the transcript. This makes it easy to quickly locate specific topics, names, or statements within the testimony.