Joint Statement – Local Healthcare Unions Need Protest to End

Local healthcare unions call for an end to protestor control of downtown Ottawa.  
 
We represent several thousand workers in healthcare, LTC, paramedic services and public health in the Ottawa area. For 2 years our members have been on the frontlines of our community’s battle with COVID-19. 

We call on all levels of government and police services to act now to end protestor control of entire streets and neighbourhoods of our city. This threatens the health and safety of our members and of the communities they work tirelessly to serve. 

By blocking healthcare workers, patients and emergency services from reaching their destinations quickly, treatments are being delayed and lives put at risk. Immunization clinics have been closed and public health measures to protect our community in a pandemic have been disregarded by thousands of people.  

Sleep deprivation, extreme noise and harassment are impacting the mental health of our downtown community which includes frontline healthcare workers. The most vulnerable people are not able to access the services they depend on. The health of our city and its residents is at stake. 

Our members are deeply committed to their work protecting public health, caring for the elderly, preventing and treating illness and saving lives. It is past time to put an end to the actions that are putting the health and safety of the people of Ottawa and the services they depend on at risk. 

Signatories to date: CIPP, CUPE 503, ONA 83, OPSEU 464, OPSEU 475, OPSEU 486, Unifor 8300.