Witness Testimony

Dianne Molstad, a retired educator from Edmonton, testified that after nearly 30 years with the same family physician, she was informed in June 2021 that she would no longer be permitted to attend the clinic if she did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine. She had been seeking treatment for escalating hypertension and was preparing to begin medication management when the dismissal occurred. She described the decision as abrupt and shocking, particularly given her long-standing relationship with the clinic.
Following her removal as a patient, she spent several days contacting medical offices to secure a new physician. She explained that Alberta’s “meet-and-greet” system required prospective patients to be approved by physicians before being accepted into their practice, which significantly delayed access to care. During this period, she reported increasing concern about managing her blood pressure without consistent medical supervision.
Molstad described multiple encounters with new physicians, including experiences she characterized as dismissive or confrontational regarding her vaccination status and supplement use. Eventually, she secured ongoing care with a physician who accepted her decision not to be vaccinated and assisted her with hypertension management. She stated that the overall experience left her feeling insulted, pressured, and concerned about access to medical treatment for unvaccinated individuals.