Witness Testimony

William Bigger, a lifelong resident of St. Catharines, Ontario, testified that in 2020 he was an 18-year-old recent high school graduate actively involved in church youth leadership and competitive swimming through Special Olympics, which he described as both athletic participation and physical therapy related to his autism diagnosis. He stated that lockdowns led to cancellation of church programs, swimming activities, and sporting events, resulting in the loss of his initial post-graduation employment and disruption of his daily routine.
He later secured employment at a restaurant and subsequently at Costco but described workplace environments during the pandemic as challenging due to social distancing rules and mask requirements. He stated that masking made it difficult for him to communicate and interpret facial expressions, which affected his ability to interact with customers and coworkers. He also described emotional strain within his family, as both parents worked in high-risk sectors, including hospital and firefighting services.
Bigger testified that he did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, explaining that his family made the decision after consulting medical professionals, partly due to a past adverse reaction to childhood booster vaccinations. He concluded by expressing empathy for others who experienced similar challenges and emphasized the emotional and social impact of pandemic measures on youth, particularly those with developmental differences.