Witness Testimony

Charlotte Garrett, an English language teacher for refugees and newcomers in Saskatoon, testified that she received an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in April 2021 under family and workplace pressure. She reported experiencing flu-like symptoms followed approximately two weeks later by the onset of persistent tinnitus, which she states continues to affect her concentration. Her physician was initially doubtful of a causal connection but later supported a medical exemption from further vaccination, which her employer accepted, though she remained subject to regular antigen testing requirements.
Garrett testified that her workplace maintained strict masking and vaccination policies, including requiring proof of vaccination or testing to enter the building, even during periods of remote instruction. She described filing grievances, presenting statistical information to her employer, and questioning ongoing mandates. She reported that her employer declined to accept her mask exemption related to breathing difficulties and characterized her questioning of mandates as undermining workplace safety. She expressed ethical concerns about recording students’ vaccination status and stated that unvaccinated students were required to remain online.
She further testified that remote learning negatively affected newcomer students’ social integration and language development, particularly given the importance of visual cues for pronunciation. She described observing fatigue and reduced focus among some vaccinated students and raised concerns about potential fertility effects, referencing information she had researched. Garrett also reported social strain, damaged family relationships, and feelings of isolation related to her vaccination decisions. She concluded that she believes mandate policies granted excessive discretion to employers and had lasting educational and social consequences.