City looks to curtail protests at hospitals, schools

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/09/2021 (1496 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AFTER a recent protest was widely condemned for blocking patients’ access to the Health Sciences Centre, a city councillor is pushing for “safe access zones” to prevent such acts.

Coun. Sherri Rollins’ motion calls for the city to enact the zones around clinics, hospitals, other health-care buildings and public schools to keep protesters at a 150-metre distance.

“The narrow zone to protect health-care workers (and) patients, and ensure necessary medical treatment gets done and that people aren’t intimidated or threatened, and that they get to their appointments, is paramount,” Rollins told the Free Press. “There are other appropriate places to protest, including in front of city hall and the (Manitoba) legislature.”

A protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates that took place outside HSC on Sept. 1 triggered plenty of backlash after some patients and staff had difficulty getting into the hospital. Some patients reported cancelling appointments due to the chaos.

Rollins said schools and places that provide abortions have also been subjected to anti-choice protests with “graphic imagery” in the past, raising a need for protection zones at those sites as well.

She also wants for the city to impose fines on those who violate the new rule, should it be approved by council.

“I believe in freedom of expression… but I also believe in protecting health-care workers, principals and educators and their students,” said Rollins.

She said similar rules have been enacted through legislation in other provinces, including B.C. and Ontario.

“It’s been tested in court that the action is constitutional because it’s not a blanket restriction,” said Rollins.

Mayor Brian Bowman said he will ask the city’s legal department for details about the motion, but he strongly supports its intent.

“I think what Winnipeggers saw a few weeks ago, where protesters were impeding the access to medical facilities (and) intimidating health-care workers, was deplorable. I think anything we can lawfully do to (ensure) the lawful access of patients and health-care providers to hospitals is something I want to lend a hand to,” said Bowman.

Arthur Schafer, a professor of ethics at the University of Manitoba, said it appears the city is balancing the right to freedom of expression with access to health care and education.

“The right to freedom of expression can clash with other fundamental rights. The right of health-care personnel to access their workplace, the right of patients to get into a hospital or clinic, without being harassed or intimidated or blocked, is also a fundamental right,” said Schafer.

While he believes the motion could be strengthened by specifically stating the general right to protest will also be protected, he said the policy appears reasonable.

“It seems, on the face of it, reasonable because it allows protesters to connect their protests symbolically with the target they want to protest or the site where the activities to which they object are occurring. At the same time, it keeps them far enough away to prevent the intimidation or harassment or coercion of people who are engaged in legitimate activities and seeking legitimate services,” said Schafer.

Council is expected to consider the motion next month. If approved, fine amounts would be set and added during the 2022 budget process.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter:@joyanne_pursaga