The following is attributable to Island Health President and CEO Kathy MacNeil:
I am proud my country supports the democratic right to peaceful protest. However, some of today’s protests disrupted safe access to health care facilities. Members of Island Health care teams were verbally abused as they came to and left work during these protests, and in at least one case a health-care team member was physically assaulted.
What happened to our health-care teams today is not acceptable to me nor to the people and communities they serve. Our health-care teams deserve respect and support, no matter what personal beliefs we hold.
To everyone who supports our amazing health-care workers, and especially for your support today, thank you. It means the world to us at Island Health.