NDP, LIBERALS SEEK LAW TO CREATE SAFETY ZONES

Both the Ontario NDP and the Liberals introduced proposed legislation Tuesday to create safety zones around institutions such as hospitals and schools to protect them from anti-vaccine harassment. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said people such as hospital workers and cancer patients shouldn’t have to face organized anti-public health harassment. “Healthcare workers shouldn’t be worried about walking a gauntlet of hate and vitriol on their way into work while they’re literally going in to provide services to our loved ones who are not well, as well as people who are still battling with COVID-19,” she said. Horwath raised the idea in August, in response to what she called organized campaigns to target small businesses implementing public health measures. Health Minister Christine Elliott said the government has been in communication with law enforcement officers about their concerns with such protests. Jones noted Ontario has seen limited protests, and workers have not been blocked from entering those spaces “to any large degree.”