Witness Testimony

Michel Gagnon, a 33-year member of the Canadian Air Force, testified that he retired in April 2022 after refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate issued by the Chief of Defence Staff. He stated that the order required disclosure of vaccination status and outlined progressive disciplinary measures for non-compliance, including recorded warnings and potential release for disobeying a lawful order. Rather than proceed through the disciplinary process, he exercised his option as a reservist to provide notice and retire.
Gagnon testified that he believed early masking policies were not scientifically justified and that vaccine mandates were politically motivated. He stated that he had requested a medical exemption, which he said was denied. He further testified that while he had not observed severe COVID-19 complications within the military, he had been informed of vaccine-related injuries and expressed concern about reports of aircrew failing electrocardiogram (EKG) medical evaluations following vaccination.
He stated that the loss of trained personnel would negatively affect military readiness and described concerns about promotion practices within the armed forces. In his closing remarks, he asserted that pandemic responses were coordinated internationally and expressed the view that the pandemic and vaccine rollout were planned events, referencing public statements made prior to 2020.