B.C. considering tougher laws to protect patients, students from anti-vaccine protesters
CTV
The B.C. government is considering tougher laws to discourage anti-vaccine protesters from disrupting the daily operations of schools and hospitals in the province, Premier John Horgan said Thursday.
The B.C. government is considering tougher laws to discourage anti-vaccine protesters from disrupting the daily operations of schools and hospitals in the province, Premier John Horgan said Thursday.
Vaccine opponents have been involved in a number of concerning demonstrations in recent weeks, including last Friday, when protesters allegedly barged into several schools in Salmon Arm.
District officials were forced to place the schools under "hold and secure" measures as a result, meaning children weren't allowed to enter or leave for the remainder of the school day.
"I think all British Columbians are perplexed that people who have a different point of view – a minority view – would choose to disrupt children in education settings or patients in health-care settings to get their point across," Horgan said.
"I'm hopeful that we've seen the last of that type of behaviour but we want to ensure that that doesn't happen again."
Attorney General David Eby and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth are discussing the province's options, which include introducing new legislation or updating existing regulations, the premier said.
The "hold and secure" measures imposed last Friday in Salmon Arm continued through Monday, which was a scheduled professional development day.
