Witness Testimony

Vittoria McGuire testified that she worked 21 years as a full-scope Registered Practical Nurse and received a hospital Award of Excellence for Nursing in December 2019. When COVID-19 began, she described taking extensive precautions at home, including erecting a tent outside to change clothes before entering her house and isolating from her husband, who has diabetes. She testified that despite early fear and PPE shortages, the hospital was relatively quiet during lockdown periods and did not initially experience overwhelming patient volumes.
She stated that vaccine promotion intensified over time, including emails encouraging vaccination and an “early bird” incentive draw offering prizes such as cash and furniture. In October 2021, the hospital implemented a 100 percent staff vaccination policy, resulting in unpaid leave for those who declined. McGuire testified that non-compliant staff were locked out of email and payroll systems and received courier-delivered disciplinary notices warning of termination. She was ultimately terminated after declining vaccination.
McGuire testified that she and other terminated healthcare workers were denied employment insurance benefits despite years of contributions. She described stigma, labeling, embarrassment, financial hardship, sleeplessness, and anxiety among affected staff, with some colleagues selling homes or leaving Canada. She concluded that pandemic decisions were driven by fear and coercion, and that healthcare professionals were not permitted to voice dissenting perspectives or advocate alternative viewpoints without consequence.