Vaccine opponents entered B.C. schools for 'completely unacceptable' protests, officials say
Anti-vaccine protesters allegedly entered multiple schools in B.C.'s Shuswap region Friday, prompting strong words from district officials.
Social media posts suggest the vaccine opponents were there to protest pop-up vaccination clinics held on school grounds.
One anti-vaccine activist complained on Facebook about eligible youths being given the chance to get protected against COVID-19 against their parents' objections.
"We are to discuss the procedures of inoculation of our children with those that will be administering the shot," he wrote before the protests.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has been clear for months that youths between the ages of 12 and 17 can make up their own minds about vaccination. B.C.'s Infants Acts allows minors to make their own informed medical decisions, with the support of health-care workers.
The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District said there have been a number of recent protests from people opposed to vaccines and mask rules, but that Friday's demonstration went too far.
"This morning these protesters did something which was completely unacceptable, which was choosing to enter schools in and around Salmon Arm," superintendent Donna Kriger said in a news release.
As a result, a number of schools were placed under hold and secure protocols for the remainder of the school day, meaning that students were not allowed to enter or leave the building.
The situation left some local parents fuming.
"Seriously? Protest all you want but pick the right place and where my child is learning is not it," one parent wrote on Twitter Friday.
The district said it plans to lock the entrances to all local schools on Monday, and asked parents who need to get inside to notify the office.
"Please know that the intent of our actions is to maintain environments which are safe for all students and staff. Thank you for your support and understanding," Kriger said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.