Witness Testimony

Aurora Bisson-Montpetit testified that while working as an 8-1-1 triage nurse for HealthLink BC from November 2020 to June 2021, she observed what she described as a significant increase in calls reporting adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination. She stated that many callers described cardiac symptoms, neurological issues, and flare-ups of autoimmune conditions, often in previously healthy individuals. She raised concerns with management, noting what she perceived as discrepancies between the volume and severity of calls and publicly reported data on the BCCDC dashboard. She further testified that nurses were later directed to collect manufacturer, lot number, timing, and symptom information into an internal database.
Bisson-Montpetit stated that she reviewed provincial adverse event reporting guidelines and inquired about submitting formal adverse event reports but was told she was not permitted to complete them. After leaving 8-1-1 for personal reasons, she began conducting independent research into governance structures and determined that the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) oversaw both HealthLink BC and the BCCDC. She compiled an investigation summary supported by scientific references and submitted questions to PHSA board meetings. In November 2022, she attended a board meeting in person, confirmed that board members had received her document, and raised concerns regarding safety signals, all-cause mortality statistics, and policy inconsistencies.
She subsequently worked at BC Children’s Hospital in adolescent inpatient mental health and was terminated in November 2021 for refusing to disclose her vaccination status under mandate policy. She testified that, following staff suspensions, COVID-positive nurses were permitted to continue working due to staffing shortages. She reported significant personal hardship following termination, including reliance on welfare and food banks, and later chose not to renew her nursing licence. She characterized the institutional response to her concerns as dismissive and described the broader situation as one involving suppression of safety signals and lack of accountability.