Witness Testimony

Dr. Jean St-Arnaud, a retired family physician with an obstetrics background and long-standing commitment to social medicine, testified about his professional journey and evolving views during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially accepting what he described as the prevailing scientific consensus, he received three vaccine doses and later contracted a mild Omicron infection. His perspective shifted following discussions with his unvaccinated daughter and participation in a demonstration organized by physicians and scientists calling for a moratorium on vaccinating pregnant women and children under the precautionary principle. He co-signed a letter to the Collège des médecins requesting reconsideration of these policies and later testified before the College, which responded by deferring to Public Health authorities rather than engaging in scientific debate.
Drawing on his experience reforming childbirth practices in the 1970s—where he helped move from a uniform surgical model to individualized birthing rooms—he argued that medical consensus can evolve and should remain open to questioning. He reported hearing from individuals within his community about menstrual disorders, shingles, blood clot events, and conflicting medical advice for immunosuppressed patients following vaccination. Although he personally experienced no adverse reactions, he stated that these reports raised concerns about fertility implications and the adequacy of safety data, particularly for vulnerable populations.
He also described personal impacts of vaccine passport policies, including accompanying his grandson to events because his unvaccinated daughter was excluded. He expressed disappointment in mainstream media coverage and institutional silence, stating that public discourse had become polarized and punitive. Concluding his testimony, he called for a ceasefire in public debate, advocating a transition from a “blame approach” to a “learning approach” grounded in humility, open scientific discussion, and restoration of social cohesion.