Witness Testimony

Éloïse Boies, a Quebec actress and production professional who transitioned into independent online media during the pandemic, testified about creating journalistic-style interviews with scientists, lawyers, and commentators critical of COVID-19 policies. She stated that multiple videos were removed or restricted by YouTube and Facebook, including a video on censorship and another titled “Why Refuse Vaccination?” which she reported was deleted shortly after publication. She attributed platform enforcement to adherence to World Health Organization guidance and algorithmic moderation, describing inconsistent application of community guidelines and limited success with appeals.
Boies further testified that after her content went viral—particularly coverage of the Freedom Convoy and interviews with scientists—she was the subject of critical media reports, including a Radio-Canada “Décrypteurs” segment and newspaper articles. She described these as character attacks that undermined her credibility and contributed to professional consequences, including reduced work opportunities for herself and her spouse within the television industry, where vaccination requirements exceeded general public mandates. She reported that colleagues privately expressed support but were reluctant to speak publicly due to fear of career repercussions.
She also described personal and family impacts, including social ostracism, loss of a daycare placement during heightened media attention, and restrictions experienced under Quebec’s vaccine passport system. Boies characterized the broader climate as one of fear and self-censorship, asserting that dissenting perspectives were marginalized in mainstream media. She framed her actions as a defense of freedom of expression and pluralistic debate, stating that her motivation stemmed from concern for democratic principles and the social environment being shaped for future generations.