Witness Testimony

Paul Hollyoak, a Canadian Coast Guard employee with 28 years of service, including 18 years as a rescue specialist, testified regarding health complications that began after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in November and December 2021 under a federal mandate. Within months, he reported reduced energy, breathing difficulties, and progressive joint inflammation affecting his hands, knees, and feet. He described severe pain and loss of grip strength, limiting his ability to perform everyday tasks and ending recreational activities such as skiing and hiking.
By mid-2022, Hollyoak stated that he began experiencing cognitive impairments, including difficulty troubleshooting, managing multiple responsibilities, and formulating sentences. As a Coast Guard program manager responsible for significant operational oversight, he reported being unable to fulfill his duties and delegating responsibilities before ultimately taking sick leave in October 2022. He indicated that his accumulated sick leave would transition to long-term disability benefits at 70 percent salary.
Hollyoak further testified that he experiences ongoing pain, pulmonary inflammation described as a form of pneumonia, decreased hemoglobin levels, and reduced oxygen perfusion, requiring daily oxygen therapy. A rheumatologist prescribed hydroxychloroquine to address inflammation, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was recommended. He stated that while he attributes his condition to vaccination, medical specialists have been reluctant to formally document it as such, referring instead to a significant multi-systemic disease.