Health Minister condemns actions of B.C. protestors after journalists, student harassed

B.C.’s Health Minister Adrian Dix condemned the actions of protestors across the province and the country after incidents of harassment were reported.

“Whether it’s in Surrey, whether it’s in Oliver, whether it’s in communities around in different parts of B.C. or whether it’s in centre town of Ottawa, when people yell freedom but systematically impede other people’s freedoms, whether it be journalists, whether it be citizens in their homes, whether it be students, it will always be completely unacceptable,” he said during a press conference, Feb. 20.

"It is not freedom to attack other peoples freedoms and rights in the expressions of your own desires."

Yesterday, a Global Okanagan journalist was spit on while covering an anti-restriction rally in Osoyoos. Journalists in Surrey were swarmed while covering protests there, prompting a RCMP investigation.

READ MORE: Reporter spat on while covering Osoyoos protest

In Oliver, a woman was fined and apologized after making racist remarks last week against a student while outside of a high school during a protest against pandemic restrictions.

The press conference was held to announce new nursing seats across B.C. to help solve a staffing crisis in the field.

“Nurses have been under unprecedented pressure,” Dix said. The Ministry of Health is funding an additional 602 spots in post secondary institutions.
 

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