Witness Testimony

Évelyne Therrien, a former TD Bank employee on long-term disability due to prior health issues including stroke and celiac disease, testified that she voluntarily received two COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021. She reported no adverse effects after the first dose but described immediate and persistent symptoms following her second dose on July 1, 2021, including diarrhea, muscle pain, headaches, fatigue, sweating, chills, insomnia, and later esophagitis requiring medical treatment. She initially did not request that her symptoms be formally reported, believing they would not be taken seriously, but later submitted a report through Canada’s adverse event reporting system.
Therrien stated that between doses she had begun conducting personal research and no longer wished to receive the second injection but proceeded due to anticipated family pressure while living with her father. When the third dose campaign intensified in late 2021, she refused further vaccination and sought a medical exemption, which she testified was denied. She described escalating verbal conflict with her father, including daily hostility and eventual eviction after she donated to the Freedom Convoy in early 2022. Due to mobility limitations from her stroke, she required four months to secure alternate housing and moved in July 2022.
She testified that the situation caused long-term strain in her relationship with her father and brother and contributed to emotional distress and social isolation. Since relocating, she has engaged in volunteer work and support groups to rebuild social connections. In her concluding remarks, she stated that individuals should not sacrifice freedom and personal integrity for what she characterized as an illusion of security.