Queen’s Park demonstration was an abuse of free speech

The most recent demonstration on the grounds of Queen’s Park to lobby the provincial government to loosen or lift COVID-19 restrictions is an example of our democracy at work. How fortunate are we, as Canadians, to be allowed to have freedom of speech, one of the many freedoms of living in a democratic society. However, I feel those freedoms have been very much misused and abused in this demonstration.

For several weeks now, we have been asked to stay home except for essential needs, wash our hands often and practise social distancing when out and about, in a cohesive effort to control this pandemic that has besieged the entire world. Our continued efforts are helping flatten the curve so that our health system is not overwhelmed all at once.

This demonstration diminishes the tireless efforts of our health-care workers, as well as essential-service workers. It also disrespects the expertise and knowledge of medical and infectious-disease experts and shows a lack of compassion for the more than 63,000 Canadian families who have been affected by this insidious disease, especially those who have lost a loved one.

And it shows little regard for the most vulnerable of our society who helped lay the cornerstones for the world we live in.

These demonstrators are clearly misguided and are undermining everything that we have all achieved so far in our fight against COVID-19.

Debbie Heelis, Fonthill, Ont.