Stop harassing staff and volunteers when getting your vaccine, Timmins police warn
Police in Timmins are warning people who are reluctantly getting their COVID-19 vaccine to behave themselves and stop harassing staff and volunteers at clinics.
Police spokesperson Marc Depatie told CTV's Lydia Chubak that some people getting vaccinated recently aren't happy about it and are only doing it because of vaccine mandates in the province.
Some have made comments to staff, threatening consequences if they react to the vaccine or they get sick.
In a news release Wednesday, police said they respect everyone's right to protest, but some people have gone too far.
"The Timmins Police Service has been made aware of a number of recent incidents involving menacing or threatening behaviours at COVID-19 vaccine clinics," police said in a news release Wednesday.
"While the Timmins Police Service respects any individual’s Charter-protected right to self-expression, the expression of any opinion must not breach the threshold of that which is intended to threaten, menace, or intimidate the recipient."
Anti-vaccine protests have been held across the country during the pandemic, including ones outside of hospitals. Officials in Sudbury have added security for some vaccine clinics.
Vaccines have been polarizing for some, Timmins police said, leading some residents to target the people administering them.
"Healthcare professionals and volunteers who are deployed at any vaccine clinics in Timmins are fully entitled to lawful protection from any threatening utterances, gestures, or behaviour that is intended to create a hostile or menacing environment," the release said.
"No matter what the point of view or frustration level that any person attending these clinics might have, an expectation of common courtesy is clear and obvious. Those attending vaccination clinics must adhere to the expected rules of conduct provided by the staff at the clinic or to leave when requested to do so."
Police said they will investigate "any instances necessary" to ensure a safe and secure environment for attendees and vaccination staff.
"Should the evidence derived from any such investigation support charges under any provincial or federal acts of Parliament, then it will be pursued by means of laying the applicable charges," the release said.
"The Timmins police have an obligation to preserve and enhance the safety of all citizens. Anyone found indulging in behaviour that is meant to disrupt or intimidate vaccination clinic staff will have the incident investigated as necessary."
--With notes from Lydia Chubak
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.