5.3 Economics 5.3 Economic / Social Impacts Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a series of unprecedented public health measures worldwide which were aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus. In Canada, these measures included vaccination mandates and the requirement for individuals to report their private health status. Many of the health measures proved to be ineffective and, in some cases, harmful. Additionally, the policies had significant and damaging economic ramifications, especially for individuals who chose not to comply with these mandates. A considerable number of Canadians faced job losses for refusing to adhere to vaccination mandates or disclose their health status. This section delves into the economic impacts of COVID-19 measures on affected individuals, exploring the broader implications on employment, financial stability, and privacy rights. The introduction of vaccination mandates, as well as the requirement for disclosure of vaccination status, created a complex landscape for workers across various sectors. Employees in all industries across Canada found themselves at a crossroads—balancing their personal beliefs and privacy concerns against government regulations and employer policies. Those who refused to comply with these mandates often faced termination, suspension, or reallocation of duties at reduced pay, leading to significant economic hardships. This analysis examines the financial consequences experienced by individuals who lost their jobs due to non-compliance with mandated policies. It explores the immediate impacts such as loss of income and benefits and the long-term effects on career progression and employability. Additionally, this section addresses the psychological and social ramifications of job loss, including increased stress, anxiety, and the stigma associated with being unvaccinated or refusing to disclose health information. Furthermore, the economic impacts extend beyond the individual to affect families and communities. Job losses can lead to reduced household income, increased reliance on social assistance programs, and decreased consumer spending that in turn affects local economies. This section will analyze these cascading effects, drawing on data from various sources to provide a comprehensive picture of the economic fallout. Witness Testimony Amie Harbor Amie Harbor is a community support worker and education assistant. In January 2020, she was working for a private company in British Columbia. At the time of the pandemic she had worked for that same company for ten years. By 2021, she had anticipated that her employer would issue vaccine mandates, so she quit her full-time position for a part-time position and also took on a casual job with the local school division. By August of 2021, in anticipation of vaccine mandates, she revised her part-time job to a casual position and took on a full-time position with the school division. Mandates were implemented in November of 2021; she was required to be vaccinated and to disclose her vaccine status. However, because her medical information was private, she refused to disclose. She approached her union to request an exemption due to political beliefs but was rejected. And on December 3, 2021, she was placed on unpaid leave. In December 2022, she initiated a grievance against the company for constructive dismissal without cause and discrimination for political beliefs. The union rejected her grievance. She then appealed the decision to the grievance appeal committee, and in 2024 they heard her case; they upheld the union’s rejection of her grievance. She appealed the union’s appeal committee decision to the provincial appeal committee, under the BC Human Rights Code, and was turned down. She has now filed a Human Rights complaint, which has not yet been heard. She also filed complaints with the provincial ombudsman and with the provincial labour board. She has taken a significant pay cut due to the imposition of the mandates and the loss of her job. Finally, Ms. Harbor stated that at the time of her testimony the province of British Columbia still had a vaccine mandate in place. Mark Varga In 2018, Mark Varga, a specialist with 25 years of experience in health, safety, and risk management, took on a position at the London, Ontario Health Sciences Centre as a clinical educator in workplace violence. In the spring of 2021, he and his family contracted and recovered from COVID-19. Based on his experience at previous hospitals, he had his blood tested to prove he had acquired natural immunity to COVID-19. He submitted the test results to his employer, stating that he was naturally immune and would not be taking the vaccine. Mr. Varga’s refusal to take the vaccine was based on his own research and previous experience with the yellow fever vaccine. The hospital shortly thereafter issued a new policy which stated that natural immunity was no longer accepted and all employees had to be vaccinated. He testified that the hospital was issuing statements concerning the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines, and they were further releasing statistics concerning COVID-19 infections in both the vaccinated and unvaccinated. In reviewing the statistics he noted that the numbers were actually indicating a problem with the vaccinated. As he was involved with safety and health, hospital employees were talking to him about how they felt forced to take the vaccine and that they were dealing with vaccine side effects. In August 2021, the hospital policy stated that the unvaccinated employees had to test three times a week to prove they were not infected, and if they were not vaccinated by October 2021, they would be terminated. In October 2021, Mr. Varga was terminated for refusing to take the vaccine. Mr. Varga stated that although he had not been vaccinated he was immunized against the virus as confirmed by laboratory testing. He applied for an exemption under the human rights code, which was denied. He applied for employment insurance (EI) but was turned down. Mr. Varga was unemployed for one year and could not get another job due to his vaccine status, so he started his own business and is now self-employed. Mr. Varga believes that the vaccine mandates remain in place in Ontario hospitals. He testified that he observed no overload in the hospital, and much of the hospital was empty or shut down. He felt there was “number switching“ to support the narrative. He testified that the hospital reported they terminated only 84 employees for non-compliance with their mandates, but this did not appear to reflect the actual numbers. Based on the statistics reported by the hospital there should have been somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 employees who did not get vaccinated. On the basis of his experience as an employment health and safety manger, he confirmed that if an employer is mandating a PPE or device, that the employer is liable for the safety and efficacy of that equipment or device. He felt bullied and coerced by the hospital to take the vaccine, and these actions were contrary to the bullying policy. Lex Acker Mr. Acker is a chartered financial analyst, since 2017. He has over ten years of experience reviewing Federal Communications Commission filings of publicly listed companies. He has worked for hedge funds as a research analyst and as a compliance officer for an investment firm. He is also a certified financial fraud examiner. Mr. Acker presented a review of the Canada EI program and his opinion as to why the EI program denied coverage to employees who were terminated for refusing the vaccine. After his wife, a nurse, was terminated from her employment and then subsequently denied EI coverage, he filed an Access to Information request for his wife’s EI file. Within the file he received from Employment Insurance he discovered a reference to Memo BE 2021-10, titled “EI Ineligibility and Refusal to Comply with a Mandatory Vaccine Policy.“ The EI agents were directed to follow the memo when adjudicating applications for EI. The memo that they were to follow was not in compliance with EI legislation, and the memo in fact states as much. The BE memo replaced the normal adjudication process with an alternate process, which is not in compliance with the legislation. Mr. Acker presented a transcript of a telephone conversation he had with EI agents. Mr. Acker compared the BE Memo and compared it to the normal EI adjudication process. Mr. Acker theorized that the Government of Canada recognized that the vaccine mandates would result in significant employee terminations and therefore significant claims for Employment Insurance. In his opinion, the government made a decision to override the legislated adjudication process by issuing the BE memo in order to avoid the significant costs associated with unvaccinated employee EI claims. Canada could not afford to pay the EI claims that would result from their vaccine mandates, therefore, they issued the BE memo which caused EI agents to deny what would have normally been considered legitimate claims for EI coverage. Roxanne Cote Roxanne Cote, a crisis management fundraiser with a non-profit agency, shared her deeply personal experience with the COVID-19 policies that led to the loss of her job after 13 1/2 years of dedicated service. Before the pandemic, Roxanne enjoyed a strong relationship with her employer and colleagues, but the implementation of COVID-19 measures drastically altered her life. In March 2020, all staff and volunteers were instructed to work from home, a situation that continued for 18 months. Although she occasionally went into the office once or twice a week, most of her work was done remotely. In September 2021, a vaccination policy was introduced, and by October 2021 it became official, requiring all employees to be vaccinated by December 2021. The policy mentioned the possibility of exemptions based on provincial legislation. Roxanne applied for a religious exemption, but her request was denied. She appealed the decision, but the appeal was also rejected. Despite having successfully worked from home, her employer insisted that she could not continue her role without being vaccinated. On December 15, 2021, Roxanne was terminated from her employment. Following her termination, Roxanne faced significant challenges. Her application for EI was denied, and she struggled to find new work due to the pervasive vaccine mandates. The combination of losing her job and being unable to secure new employment led her into a deep depression. As the sole breadwinner in her family she found herself in a desperate situation—even contemplating suicide. The stigma surrounding her refusal to be vaccinated further isolated her. To survive, Roxanne sold her home and returned to her hometown in Saskatchewan. She described feeling ashamed and disgraced by the entire process, and she is still working on her emotional recovery. Roxanne hopes that by sharing her story she can offer support and encouragement to others who find themselves in similar circumstances. Glenn Aalderink Glenn is a surgical nurse, with specialized training in the use and specifications of PPE, who worked on a COVID-19 ward in British Columbia. He provided a detailed account of the situation in his hospital, highlighting the illogical mask and PPE policies. He noted that, contrary to media reports, the hospital was not overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, and there was a troubling unwillingness among management to discuss these policies or consider the ethical implications for nursing staff. Glenn described the atmosphere of fear that permeated the hospital following the pandemic’s announcement in March 2020. Volunteering to work on the COVID-19 floor, he observed, that despite the heightened state of alert, sections of the hospital were shut down; at one point, the COVID-19 ward had only a single patient. Throughout the pandemic the hospital operated at approximately 65 per cent capacity. He testified that the use of surgical masks to prevent COVID-19 infections was fundamentally flawed. He explained that prior to the pandemic surgical masks were considered ineffective against smoke particles, which are significantly larger than COVID-19 particles. Despite this, hospital policy mandated the use of a single surgical mask for an entire day, a practice he described as “ridiculous.“ Glenn also expressed concerns about the broader public health measures, including lockdowns and vaccine mandates, which he argued were implemented without Informed Consent. His growing disillusionment with these policies led him to organize rallies against the mandates, alongside other like-minded healthcare workers. However, his activism soon resulted in disciplinary actions, and he was ultimately terminated from his position—forcing him to seek employment in an unrelated field. In September 2021, Glenn organized the “Stop The Mandate“ protest. Following this rally, the BC Nursing College initiated an investigation against him. He was terminated from his employment after refusing to disclose his vaccine status, which he believed violated the fundamental tenets of nursing ethics. On a personal level, Glenn had concerns about taking the COVID-19 vaccines due to his family health history. He attempted to obtain a medical exemption from his doctor, but his request was denied. He appealed his termination through the union, but because the mandates in British Columbia remained unchanged he was effectively barred from working as a nurse in the province. Glenn’s testimony underscores the profound personal and professional challenges he faced as a result of the mandates. He expressed the stark reality that, as long as the mandates are in place he will never be able to work as a nurse in British Columbia again. Amanda Rodriguez Amanda Rodriguez testified about the challenges she faced while dealing with her father’s illness and the treatment both he and the family received in the hospital system due to their vaccination status. She described the lack of compassion, as well as the illogical and inhumane behaviour exhibited by healthcare workers. Additionally, Amanda spoke about her own experiences with job-related COVID-19 mandates. In January 2022, Amanda’s father was diagnosed with cancer. The family cared for him at home until his condition deteriorated to the point where hospitalization was necessary. When the paramedics arrived to take her father to the hospital, the paramedics inquired about the family’s vaccination status. Upon learning that they were unvaccinated, the paramedics and hospital staff treated them poorly. Amanda was not permitted to accompany her father into the hospital, leaving him alone and incapacitated and unable to provide Informed Consent. Her father, who had severe allergies and was undergoing chemotherapy, was left unattended by hospital staff for the next six hours. Despite Amanda’s efforts to contact the patient advocate office, she was unable to reach anyone as it was early in the morning. Even her sister, who was double-vaccinated, was denied entry into the hospital. Eventually the paramedics, who had remained with her father in the hospital, attempted to advocate for her father’s care, but it was only after several hours that a doctor finally attended to him. The doctor handled her father roughly before eventually taking him away. The police were called, and Amanda was instructed to leave the hospital. Tragically, her father passed away the following morning, alone and without any family by his side. In addition to her personal ordeal, Amanda also shared her professional experiences. She worked in a government group home for children and had a medical exemption from the mask requirement, which her employer accommodated in 2020. However, in 2021 when vaccine mandates were imposed on workers, her exemptions for both masks and vaccines were denied. As a result, Amanda went on stress leave and was eventually placed on leave without pay for not being vaccinated. Amanda took her case to the union and won the complaint but ultimately decided to leave her job. Her testimony highlights the emotional and professional toll that the pandemic policies and mandates had on her and her family. Marcos Sobral In 2020, Marcos Sobral was an undergraduate student at the University of Winnipeg. By 2022, he had been accepted into the master’s program and completed his honours year through online study. In June 2023, he secured a thesis advisor and submitted his thesis proposal, which focused on the COVID-19 mandates. However, his proposal was met with ridicule, and he was told that no one was interested in pursuing a paper on this topic. Seeking support, Marcos reached out to other university professors, but he was unable to find assistance. Despite working with various professors to revise his original thesis proposal, he encountered a lack of interest from the faculty, who expressed no desire to engage with a project that challenged the prevailing COVID-19 narrative. Marcos was enrolled in the Criminal Justice department. Over time, Marcos submitted a total of four thesis proposals, but he was ultimately informed that he had run out of time. Consequently, he was expelled from the program, and his master’s degree was withheld. In response, Marcos wrote a letter to the university administration seeking help. This led to an invitation to the registrar’s office, where he was formally expelled from the university. Undeterred, Marcos hired a lawyer from Toronto and successfully fought for reinstatement. However, soon after his reinstatement, he received notice from the university accusing him of being overly critical of his peers. This situation caused significant financial and emotional strain. As a result of these challenges, Marcos was forced out of the thesis stream and into the project stream. His work continued to be undermined by the professors; he appealed one grade, which was ultimately revised from an F to a B+. Eventually, he was appointed a new thesis advisor. However, after submitting his first draft, he was instructed to remove any mention of COVID-19 from his thesis. Despite this, Marcos persisted in addressing COVID-19 in his work, leading the professor to refuse further involvement with the project. Marcos submitted his thesis as originally written, but his work was attacked and ridiculed, leading to the withholding of his master’s degree due to his refusal to omit the COVID-19 content. Marcos speculated that the university’s reluctance to address the COVID-19 issue was likely influenced by concerns related to the institution’s funding. Debra Milcak Her husband was initially hospitalized due to low oxygen levels detected in his blood. After visiting a clinic, where he was prescribed certain medications, they were advised that he should go to the hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, he was tested for COVID-19 and was confirmed to be infected. The hospital recommended intubating her husband, but both she and her husband refused the procedure. Instead, they opted for oxygen therapy through a nasal tube, which seemed to work effectively. They requested that the ICU doctor treat her husband with ivermectin, but the doctors mocked the request, dismissing ivermectin as “horse paste.“ The ICU doctor informed them that he was not permitted to prescribe ivermectin. Throughout their stay, various doctors and social workers repeatedly tried to convince them to agree to intubation. The medical staff also attempted to separate the couple, but her husband insisted that his wife remain with him to advocate on his behalf. Due to their refusal to consent to intubation, the hospital informed them that they could no longer stay in the emergency room. When they decided to leave the hospital, the staff refused to return the medications that had been previously prescribed by the clinic doctor and also denied them access to oxygen. The hospital staff warned them that her husband would die if they left. Once they returned home, they purchased an oxygen supply, independently, and obtained ivermectin from an alternative source. After starting ivermectin, her husband’s condition improved rapidly, and they continue to use it as a prophylactic measure. Jeanette Wightman Jeanette Wightman served as a purchasing manager for a modular housing production facility in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where she had worked for 14 years. She detailed the challenges her company faced due to lockdowns, mRNA vaccine mandates, and how these measures impacted her long tenure with the organization. At the onset of the pandemic, the staff was sent home as operations temporarily halted. When production eventually resumed, the company faced significant difficulties in ordering and receiving materials due to widespread production delays. In August 2021, management informed the staff that all management personnel would need to be vaccinated to comply with travel restrictions. By late October 2021, the company extended this requirement, mandating that all management staff be vaccinated, while production workers were exempt from this requirement. Jeanette chose not to get vaccinated as she believed the vaccines were unsafe. As a result, the company replaced her in her management role. The local general manager offered her a lower-paying position on the production floor, which did not require vaccination. Faced with the inability to receive EI, Jeanette accepted the lower-paying position and remains employed with the company in this reduced role. Richard and Doreen Fehr Richard, a 43-year-old father of two, shared his harrowing experience after developing a severe heart injury that followed his receipt of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. He was accompanied by his mother, Doreen, who provided additional insights into his ordeal. Richard, who worked as a dairy farmer for 17 years at the Rayner Dairy and Teaching Facility operated by the University of Saskatchewan, was mandated by his employer to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite his reluctance, he complied with the mandate out of fear of losing his job. He received his first injection on August 23, 2021 without any noticeable side effects. However, after receiving the second injection on September 23, 2021, Richard began experiencing significant health issues, including extreme fatigue, which caused him to miss three days of work. On December 2, 2021, shortly after returning to work, Richard suffered a massive heart attack. Richard’s recollection of the events following the heart attack was limited, as he was unconscious for much of the time. His account was largely based on what witnesses told him about the events that transpired. He was hospitalized for an extended period and underwent treatment for sepsis, which developed after his large intestine had to be removed due to a lack of blood flow. This life-threatening condition led to septicemia, and he was kept in a sedated state for much of his hospital stay. Doreen recounted that while Richard was in the hospital, medical staff questioned her about his health and family history. She informed them that Richard had been healthy prior to the vaccine and that there was no family history of heart disease. When she mentioned that Richard had been vaccinated, the medical professional abruptly left the room, leaving her with no further information or support. In addition to the heart injury, Richard’s condition was complicated by the infection of his peripherally-inserted central catheter (PICC line), which had been left in too long, and by blood clots that formed in his groin. These complications left him unable to walk, requiring him to relearn how to use his legs. He spent a total of 117 days in the hospital, during which time he lost 50 pounds and developed painful bedsores. One of the most devastating aspects of Richard’s ordeal was the impact on his family. For the first 80 days of his hospitalization, his children were not allowed to visit him, causing significant emotional distress for his entire family. His heart now functions at only 45 per cent capacity, and he becomes easily exhausted. Due to his condition, Richard is on long-term disability and will never be able to return to his work at the dairy. Richard is not enrolled in the vaccine injury compensation program, despite the severity of his condition. During his hospital stay, Doreen faced additional hardships, including being forcibly removed from the hospital on more than one occasion due to her vaccination status, even though she was fully tested and wearing PPE. This occurred despite the high risk of Richard’s death, further compounding the family’s trauma. Richard’s testimony highlights the severe and life-altering consequences he has endured following his vaccination, as well as the lack of support and recognition from the medical system and related institutions. Jamie Salé Jamie Salé, an Olympic Gold Medalist in pairs figure skating in 2002, is a well-known Canadian personality and a mother of two children. Her testimony focused on her personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first eight months following the pandemic’s declaration in March 2020, Jamie and her community of friends diligently followed Health Canada’s guidelines, which included masking, lockdowns, and PCR testing. However, by the fall of 2020, she began to sense that the Canadian population was being inundated with fear-driven propaganda. This realization led her to suspect that something was amiss. In January 2021, Jamie started receiving information about the situation in other parts of the world, which indicated that the legacy media in Canada was not reporting the full truth. Motivated by these revelations, she began to research alternative sources of information outside of the mainstream media and to share her findings with her family and friends. However, she soon encountered strong resistance. Many of the people with whom she shared information reacted negatively, and she felt increasingly isolated as those around her began to turn against her. Jamie became increasingly anxious as the rollout of biological injections (vaccines) began. Her son, who was in grade 8 and 14-years-old at the time, struggled with wearing a mask at school, which led to panic attacks. Jamie witnessed firsthand the severe impact that the mandates were having on school children. The situation escalated to the point where her son became suicidal. With no support from her friends or family, Jamie felt helpless and depressed. Her son eventually succumbed to pressure from his peers and school and decided to get the vaccine, without her consent. Two sports doctors assured her son that the vaccines were “safe,“ which led to a significant rift between Jamie and her son that resulted in 14 months of non-communication. Jamie believes that her son developed a form of shingles after receiving the vaccination and now has a compromised immune system. The strain on her relationships extended beyond her son. Many of her friends began to isolate her, and her husband secretly received the vaccine without informing her beforehand. Jamie was also deeply concerned about the potential “shedding phenomenon“ associated with the vaccines. Following the Trucker Convoy, Jamie began to speak out publicly against the mandates and the broader handling of the pandemic. This led to attacks on social media, from her friends and family, and from both local and national media. Notably, none of the media outlets that criticized her attempted to interview her “before” launching their attacks. Her social media accounts were censored and eventually terminated. Despite these challenges, Jamie realized that there were many others who shared her concerns. She has since been working to rebuild her social connections and community, finding support among those who also felt marginalized during the pandemic. Analysis and Discussion of Testimonies The recent testimonies from the NCI hearings in Regina provide a comprehensive view of the economic and psychological impacts experienced by individuals who lost their jobs due to non-compliance with COVID-19 mandates. These testimonies reveal the multifaceted consequences of public health policies on employment, financial stability, and privacy rights, and they underscore the need for a balanced approach to public health measures that consider both health and economic well being. Economic Impacts Key Witness Testimonies: Summary of Economic Issues Amie Harbor: Position and Anticipation : Worked for a private company (CCS) and anticipated vaccine mandates, leading her to shift from full-time to part-time and then to casual jobs. Mandate Impact : Refusing to disclose her vaccine status led to unpaid leave and a significant pay cut. Legal Battles : Having multiple grievances and appeals rejected caused prolonged legal and financial strain. Ongoing Mandate : Financial instability continues due to the ongoing vaccine mandate in British Columbia. Mark Varga: Natural Immunity : Had natural immunity confirmed, but was terminated for refusing the vaccine. Employment Insurance Denial : Applied for exemption under the Human Rights Code and was denied. Denied EI benefits. Self-Employment : Unemployed for a year then started his own business due to inability to find work as an unvaccinated individual. Lex Acker: Employment Insurance Program Review : Filed an Access to Information request revealing a directive memo (DE Memo BE 2021-10) that led to denial of EI benefits for unvaccinated individuals. Government Actions : Highlighted the government’s manipulation of the EI adjudication process to avoid costs associated with vaccine mandate terminations. Roxanne Cote: Termination and EI Denial : Terminated after her religious exemption was denied and was subsequently denied EI coverage. Mental Health Crisis : Experienced severe depression and suicidal thoughts; she sold her home and moved back to her hometown due to lack of employment opportunities. Glenn Aalderink: Professional and Financial Impact : Lost his job as a surgical nurse and was unable to find similar work due to vaccine mandates. Union Appeal : He appealed termination, but mandates in British Columbia prevented his reinstatement. Amanda Rodriguez: Personal and Professional Impact : Faced job loss and stress leave after her exemption requests were denied. Her father’s mistreatment in the hospital due to unvaccinated status added to her distress. Marcos Sobral: Academic and Financial Strain : Expelled from his master’s program for challenging COVID-19 mandates, in his thesis. Experienced significant financial and emotional distress due to academic setbacks. Debra Milcak: Husband’s Health and Financial Strain : Faced medical expenses and stress due to her husband’s severe health complications after being refused alternative treatments in the hospital. Jeanette Wightman: Job Demotion and Financial Loss : Demoted and faced financial loss due to her refusal to get vaccinated, despite her long tenure with the company. Richard and Doreen Fehr: Severe Health and Financial Impact : Richard suffered severe health issues following vaccination, leading to long-term disability and inability to work. Faced additional medical expenses and loss of income. Jamie Salé: Personal and Social Isolation : Faced social and professional isolation due to her opposition to mandates, leading to financial and emotional strain. Her son’s health issues, post-vaccination, added to her distress. Commentary on Financial and Economic Consequences Employment and Income Losses The testimonies from the Regina hearings highlight a common thread of employment and income losses due to non-compliance with COVID-19 mandates. Witnesses like Amie Harbor, Mark Varga, and Roxanne Cote faced termination and significant financial instability. The shift from full-time employment to part-time or casual positions in anticipation of mandates, as seen with Amie Harbor, underscores the precarious nature of employment during the pandemic. Mark Varga’s case illustrates the harsh reality of being denied employment opportunities due to vaccination status, leading to a forced shift to self-employment. Legal and Bureaucratic Hurdles The testimonies reveal a troubling pattern of legal and bureaucratic obstacles that compounded the financial strain on individuals. Lex Acker’s discovery of the DE Memo BE 2021-10 highlights the government’s manipulation of the EI system to avoid financial liabilities. This bureaucratic overreach denied many individuals the financial support they were legally entitled to, exacerbating their economic hardships. Mental Health and Financial Distress The financial consequences of job losses and mandate-related stress had severe mental health repercussions. Witnesses like Roxanne Cote and Amanda Rodriguez experienced profound psychological distress, including depression and suicidal thoughts. The financial strain of job losses and the stigma associated with being unvaccinated further isolated these individuals, leading to a vicious cycle of financial and emotional distress. Health-Related Financial Burdens Several testimonies, such as those from Richard and Doreen Fehr and Debra Milcak, underscored the severe health-related financial burdens resulting from COVID-19 measures. Richard Fehr’s severe health complications post-vaccination led to long-term disability and significant medical expenses. Debra Milcak faced additional stress and financial strain due to her husband’s untreated health issues in the hospital. Professional and Social Isolation Witnesses like Glenn Aalderink and Jamie Salé faced professional and social isolation due to their stance on COVID-19 mandates. Glenn Aalderink’s termination and inability to work as a nurse in British Columbia highlight the professional consequences of opposing mandates. Jamie Salé’s social isolation and her son’s health issues post-vaccination illustrate the broader societal impacts of mandate-related stigmatization. Recommendations The financial and economic consequences of COVID-19 measures, as highlighted by the Regina hearings, reveal a multifaceted crisis affecting employment, mental health, and social stability. To address these issues, the following recommendations are proposed: 1. Policy Reform and Transparency: Review and reform EI adjudication processes to ensure fairness and transparency. Eliminate any bureaucratic manipulations that deny rightful benefits to terminated employees. 2. Support for Mental Health: Increase funding for mental health services to support individuals experiencing psychological distress due to employment and financial instability. Provide targeted support for those affected by mandate-related job losses. 3. Protection of Medical Ethics: Reinforce the importance of medical ethics, including Informed Consent and doctor–patient privilege. Protect doctors from disciplinary actions when they provide evidence-based medical opinions. 4. Legal Protections for Employment: Implement legal protections for employees who face termination or discrimination based on vaccination status. Ensure fair treatment in the workplace and provide avenues for recourse. 5. Financial Assistance and Support: Provide financial assistance and support programs for individuals facing long-term disability or severe health complications due to vaccination or COVID-19 measures. 6. Community and Social Support: Foster community support networks to reduce the social isolation and stigma associated with vaccination status. Encourage public engagement and dialogue to rebuild trust and social cohesion. By addressing these recommendations, policymakers can mitigate the financial and economic impacts of COVID-19 measures, thereby creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all affected individuals. Report Content Reader Page 📄 Note to Readers The content presented on this page has been adapted for online viewing and navigation. Due to formatting limitations within the web display system, certain elements—such as layout, spacing, and visual structure—may differ slightly from the original report. For the complete and fully formatted version, we encourage you to download the official PDF available on the Report Information page. The PDF reflects the report exactly as it was originally written and published.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript AstraZeneca April 2021, injection site bleeding, petechiae and bruising, essential tremor diagnosis, dizziness disassociation, light noise sensitivity, two months bedridden, anxiety misdiagnosis, psychiatric referral antidepressants, vaccine exemption letter, Toronto Public Health advice, adverse event submission, Mount Sinai apology call, ivermectin reported improvement, persistent brain fog Included in the Report: Ms. Dianne Spaulding Private Citizen Personal Experience Witness ID: NCI-W-080 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 Testimony describing neurological symptoms, systemic bruising, and bleeding following AstraZeneca vaccination, initial anxiety diagnosis, and later hospital apology. One Line Summary Dianne Spaulding testified that after receiving AstraZeneca in April 2021 she developed bleeding, tremors, neurological symptoms, and systemic bruising, was initially diagnosed with anxiety, later received a hospital apology, and continues to experience lingering effects. Synopsis Dianne Spaulding testified that she received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on April 23, 2021. Within five days she developed injection-site bleeding, swelling, rash, and progressive neurological symptoms including pins and needles in her extremities, blurry vision, intense dizziness, disassociation, internal chest vibrations, and extreme sensitivity to light and noise. She stated she spent approximately two months largely bedridden due to fatigue and described widespread bruising and petechiae across her body, which she had not experienced prior to vaccination. During multiple emergency department visits, she testified that initial concerns about vaccine-induced clotting were not thoroughly investigated. On her third visit, she was diagnosed with anxiety after presenting with tremors affecting her hands, legs, and head. She was referred to psychiatry and prescribed antidepressants. Although one neurologist acknowledged seeing similar post-vaccination tremor cases and diagnosed essential tremor, other specialists provided limited follow-up, and Toronto Public Health reportedly advised her to proceed with a second dose despite a psychiatrist’s written exemption. Spaulding stated she submitted an adverse event report but felt dismissed. She later complained to Mount Sinai Hospital regarding her treatment and, in January 2023, received a phone call apologizing for how her case had been handled, including discussion at a board meeting. She testified that she ultimately sought independent research and alternative medical consultation, reporting improvement in tremors and internal vibrations after treatment, though bruising, petechiae, and persistent brain fog remain. She concluded by stating her desire “to be seen, to be heard, to be believed,” and called for truthful public messaging. 🔎 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 central bank digital currencies, Going Direct Reset, financial transaction control grid, wealth centralization, small business shutdowns, missing federal funds, black budget spending, digital ID systems, smart grid infrastructure, technocracy governance, pandemic economic restructuring, federal accounting secrecy, depopulation theory, decentralized economy, local sovereignty solutions Included in the Report: Ms. Catherine Austin Fitts Investment Banker Expert Witness ID: NCI-W-263 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 Macroeconomic restructuring, central bank digital currencies, and financial centralization during COVID-19 One Line Summary Catherine Austin Fitts testified that COVID-19 functioned as a catalyst for financial centralization, digital control systems, and global economic restructuring. Synopsis Catherine Austin Fitts, an investment banker and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Housing, testified that she views the COVID-19 pandemic primarily as a political and economic event rather than a public health crisis. She described what she called a “Going Direct Reset,” asserting that central bankers used the pandemic to accelerate financial restructuring, consolidate market power, and expand centralized control. She cited wealth concentration trends, small business closures, and large-scale central bank monetary injections as evidence of intentional economic re-engineering. Fitts discussed the expansion of secrecy in federal financial management, referencing what she characterized as missing federal funds and increased use of undisclosed or “black budget” mechanisms. She expressed concern about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), digital identification systems, and smart grid infrastructure, which she stated could enable direct control over individual financial transactions. She described these developments as part of a broader shift toward technocratic governance with reduced transparency and diminished financial autonomy. Despite her concerns, Fitts stated that she remains optimistic about decentralized alternatives. She encouraged local economic resilience, increased use of cash, regional financial sovereignty initiatives, and community-level governance engagement. She emphasized transparency, merit-based systems, and grassroots organization as key elements for resisting centralization and restoring individual and regional autonomy. 🔎 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.

9.4 About the Transcripts 9.4 About the Transcripts Our transcription volunteer team was a dedicated group of individuals who committed their time and expertise to support the essential work of this Commission. Their collective mission was to ensure the accurate and comprehensive documentation of each witness‘s testimony, preserving their stories and contributing to a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. This team was comprised of a diverse and skilled group, including both professional transcriptionists and individuals with strong listening and typing skills from various backgrounds. They were united by their shared dedication to accuracy, attention to detail, and respect for the content they handled. Our volunteers understood the importance of their role in this process. They were committed to translating the spoken word into text with the utmost care, maintaining the tone and intent of the original statement, and ensuring that every voice was accurately represented. Their work played a critical role in ensuring transparency, promoting accessibility, and preserving the historical record of these proceedings. Through their efforts, we maintained a thorough and lasting account of the testimonies presented to the Commission, contributing to our collective understanding and memory of these impactful events. In recognition of their dedication and important contributions, we extend our deepest gratitude to our volunteer transcription team. Their unwavering commitment to this task reflected the spirit of service, civic engagement, and commitment to truth that was central to the work of our Commission. The evidence offered in these transcripts is a true and faithful record of witness testimony given during the National Citizens Inquiry (NCI) hearings. Raw transcripts were initially produced from the audio-video recordings using AssemblyAI speech recognition software. A volunteer team of editors then assessed the AI transcripts against the recordings and edited all NCI witness transcripts using the “intelligent verbatim” transcription method, which removes filler words, throat-clearing, false starts, and repetitions that could distract from the testimony content. Throughout the editing process, care was taken to ensure that each NCI witness transcript remained as accurate, accessible, and true to the original intent of the speakers as possible. Many testimonies were accompanied by slide show presentations or other exhibits. The NCI team recommends that transcripts be read together with video recordings and any corresponding exhibits. We are grateful to all our volunteers for the countless hours committed to this project and hope that this evidence will prove to be a useful resource for many in future. For a complete library of the over 300 testimonies at the NCI, please visit our website at https://nationalcitizensinquiry.ca/testimony . Transcription Editing Team Val Sprott, lead Dawn Sutherland Dort Tanja Elizabeth Report Content Reader Page 📄 Note to Readers The content presented on this page has been adapted for online viewing and navigation. Due to formatting limitations within the web display system, certain elements—such as layout, spacing, and visual structure—may differ slightly from the original report. For the complete and fully formatted version, we encourage you to download the official PDF available on the Report Information page. The PDF reflects the report exactly as it was originally written and published.

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 19, 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

6.4.4 Ethical Concerns and Loss of Public Trust 6.4.4 Ethical Concerns and Loss of Public Trust Recommendations The testimonies and the 2023 NCI Report highlight the urgent need to address the ethical concerns and restore public trust through: Immediately Discontinuing Use of mRNA vaccines. Transparency and Accountability: Public institutions must be transparent about their decision-making processes and be held accountable for their actions. This includes full disclosure of all data and evidence used to support public health measures. Restoring Informed Consent: The principle of Informed Consent must be re-emphasized, ensuring that individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their health, without coercion. Supporting Ethical Medical Practices: Healthcare professionals must be supported in practicing ethically, without fear of censorship or disciplinary action for voicing legitimate concerns. Independent Oversight: Establishing independent bodies to oversee public health decisions and ensure that they are based on sound scientific evidence and free from political or financial influence. By addressing these issues, public trust in healthcare and government institutions can be gradually restored, leading to a more resilient and ethical response to future public health crises. Report Content Reader Page 📄 Note to Readers The content presented on this page has been adapted for online viewing and navigation. Due to formatting limitations within the web display system, certain elements—such as layout, spacing, and visual structure—may differ slightly from the original report. For the complete and fully formatted version, we encourage you to download the official PDF available on the Report Information page. The PDF reflects the report exactly as it was originally written and published.

Witness Testimony Keywords from Transcript CPSO investigation, section 75 order, off-label prescribing, ivermectin treatment, hydroxychloroquine use, vaccine injury protocols, Front Line COVID Critical Care, Canadian COVID TeleHealth, telemedicine clinic, spike protein claims, medical licence risk, exemption restrictions, physician discipline, regulatory overreach allegation, Delta variant treatment Included in the Report: Dr. Edward Leyton MD Physician Both (Expert and Personal Experience) Witness ID: NCI-W-277 Hearing Ottawa Ontario Date: May 18, 2023 Report Inquiry into the Appropriateness and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Response in Canada; November 2023 Main Topic Treatment of COVID-19 and vaccine injury using ivermectin-based protocols and subsequent regulatory investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. One Line Summary Dr. Edward Leyton testified that he treated COVID-19 and vaccine injury with ivermectin-based protocols and now faces regulatory investigation and possible licence loss. Synopsis Dr. Edward Leyton, a physician with more than 40 years of practice experience, testified that he returned from retirement in 2020 to assist patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially providing psychotherapy for pandemic-related stress. In 2021, after researching ivermectin and engaging with other physicians, he began prescribing ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 through Canadian COVID TeleHealth, a national telemedicine clinic. He stated that the clinic followed protocols developed by the Front Line COVID Critical Care Alliance and treated patients across multiple provinces, particularly during the Delta variant period. He testified that following media coverage and regulatory scrutiny, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) accessed clinic records under section 75 of the Regulated Health Professions Act and initiated investigations. According to his testimony, other physicians associated with the clinic lost hospital privileges, faced licence restrictions, or were prevented from treating COVID-19 patients. He stated that he later received his own section 75 investigation notice in October 2022 for prescribing ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, despite no patient complaints in over four decades of practice. Dr. Leyton also described treating patients who he characterized as experiencing vaccine injury, reporting a range of neurological, cardiovascular, and inflammatory symptoms. He stated that some patients showed measurable improvement using ivermectin, nutritional supplementation, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory protocols. He concluded that COVID-19 had a high survival rate, that vaccine injury was under-recognized, and that physicians prescribing alternative treatments faced regulatory persecution, placing his own medical licence at risk. 🔎 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.