Around two-dozen people protested Ontario's vaccine verification program in the rain and the cold outside Sarnia City Hall Wednesday afternoon.
A rally, hosted by the Sarnia Freedom Alliance, We Are All Essential, and Make Canada Free Again, was held at 1 p.m.
Jon Maillet protesting Ontario's vaccine passport system at the Sarnia Freedom Rally outside Sarnia City Hall. 22 September 2021. (Photo by BlackburnNews.com)
Spokesperson Jon Maillet said getting the vaccine should be a choice.
"I have an immune system, I know that my immune system is strong, it should be my right to choose whether or not I get to use that immune system or not, especially in a situation where we know that the vaccine does not stop the actual spread [of COVID-19]," Maillet said.
Scheduled speakers Chris Sky, Kelly Anne Wolfe, Pat King and Jamie Russo didn't attend the rally due to the weather. Organizers are working to reschedule the speakers.
Maillet called the certification system, which came into effect Wednesday, "irresponsible."
"I've talked to many people who are completely upset that they were forced to do this -- they feel that their choice has been stripped from them, and they are angry," he said. "I'm not saying that any of the [COVID] deaths were not tragic, obviously they are -- anytime anybody dies, it's tragic -- it's unfortunately a part of life though. In this case, I just don't see the push to make everybody take the vaccine."
Maillet doesn't believe anybody should be threatened with job loss over the vaccine mandate, especially healthcare workers.
"We have a healthcare system that we're scared to overload, but we're going to fire nurses because they didn't take this shot? It makes no sense."
Maillet also said he finds it disgusting that some people believe a person should be refused healthcare if they are unvaccinated against COVID-19.
"I just want the insane craziness to end. I don't know what happened, but somehow, up is down, down is up, left is right, and right is left. So, at some point, I'm hoping that commonsense prevails here and we get back to those Canadian values."
A vaccine certificate will not be required to enter facilities providing medical care.
The vaccine policy in effect for hospitals, including Bluewater Health, only applies to hospital staff, professional staff, volunteers, students, and contractors. Full vaccination for people in those categories is required by the end of October.
Vaccine mandates have also been announced for City of Sarnia employees, Sarnia council members and County of Lambton employees.