Ontario politicians issue warnings ahead of planned hospital protests

Ontario politicians and health officials are urging protestors to call off their planned demonstrations outside hospitals across the province.

An organization called Canadian Frontline Nurses said it will be holding “silent vigils” in all 10 provinces on Monday.

The group wants to protest what it calls “tyrannical measures and government overreach” concerning COVID-19-related public health measures.

Five protests are scheduled to take place in Ontario alone including at hospitals in Toronto, Barrie, Ottawa, London and Sudbury.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the anti-vaccine protests “selfish, cowardly and reckless.”

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and Ontario Medical Association are calling for designated safe zones around healthcare facilities to protect staff and patients.

Toronto police say charges will be laid if they see disruptions during the protests.

Health officials say they respect everyone’s right to protest but hospitals are not the place to do it.