Witness Testimony

Scott Crawford, an Advanced Care Paramedic with approximately 30 years of experience, testified regarding his observations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent vaccine mandate imposed by Alberta Health Services (AHS). He stated that early in the pandemic most patients presented with flu-like symptoms and that call volumes initially decreased. In 2021, he reported observing cases where patients experienced serious medical events shortly after vaccination, including an elderly patient with severe pain and a previously healthy man who suffered a catastrophic stroke one day after vaccination. He stated that paramedics did not receive training in recognizing or reporting vaccine adverse events and were not typically involved in adverse event reporting systems.
Mr. Crawford testified that he declined vaccination based on religious conviction and concerns about potential adverse effects. He described experiencing online harassment from colleagues and stated that his union did not support his complaint regarding workplace bullying. His religious exemption request was denied, and he was suspended without pay for approximately three and a half months beginning December 2021. He testified that his suspension was coded as misconduct, resulting in denial of Employment Insurance benefits despite appeals.
He further stated that EMS services were already strained during the pandemic, with reported red alert statuses and ambulance shortages. He testified that his suspension contributed to ambulance shutdowns in specific communities due to staffing gaps. Mr. Crawford also described an incident in which he was initially denied access to his dying mother in hospital due to vaccination status and exposure policies, though he was ultimately permitted to attend after escalating concerns. He concluded that the mandate and associated policies diminished healthcare system capacity and caused significant personal, professional, and emotional impact.