Witness Testimony

Cindy Stevenson testified that she was held out of service in November 2021 after refusing CN Rail’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement. She stated that she had recently recovered from COVID-19 and raised concerns about vaccine safety, citing adverse event reporting data and natural immunity research. She contacted both her employer and union seeking accommodation and representation, but testified that she received no substantive response beyond being advised to comply with the mandate to avoid consequences. She was not offered a testing alternative and was removed from active duty.
Stevenson filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board alleging unfair representation by her union, which was dismissed. She subsequently filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and applied for Employment Insurance, which was denied on the basis of misconduct. She testified that she remained out of work for approximately seven months before returning in June 2022 after federal mandates were suspended, though she stated that the employer indicated the mandate could be reinstated. She reported incurring legal costs and losing seven months of income.
She later resigned in March 2023, citing emotional distress, workplace resentment, and concerns about safety and trust within the organization. Stevenson also testified about unsuccessful attempts to obtain natural antibody testing through public healthcare providers and expressed concerns about institutional transparency and accountability. She stated that the experience significantly affected her family’s trust in public institutions, healthcare systems, and government leadership.