The Canadian government wants to strengthen criminal sanctions against anti-vaccination protesters, especially those targeting hospitals, after an upsurge in harassment of caregivers since the start of the pandemic.
"No one should be intimidated for providing or seeking to receive health care and everyone should be able to access the care they need without obstruction,"
Justice Minister David Lametti said at a press conference on Friday. .
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The proposed amendments to the Canadian penal code introduced sentences of up to 10 years in prison for a person who sought to intimidate caregivers or prevent access to a health facility.
Referring to certain demonstrations around the centers, where children can be vaccinated since this week in Canada, the Minister considered that it was
"odious and unacceptable behavior".
The pandemic has exacerbated the already difficult working conditions of caregivers, who face worrying levels of violence and threats of violence, the government says. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised this issue several times during the legislative campaign last September when he himself was the target of protesters opposed to health restrictions.
The new provisions would also address long-standing concerns of health professionals, especially those providing abortion services, the government said.
According to preliminary results from a 2021 National Physician Health Survey conducted by the Canadian Medical Association, three in four physicians said they had experienced
"workplace bullying or harassment."
Female physicians reported significantly more threats than their male counterparts.
This bill has yet to be passed by Parliament.