Province creates safe access zones for health-care workers, patients

Aggressive protests around Saskatchewan hospitals could soon be a thing of past, for a while anyway.

On Wednesday, the government introduced The Public Health (Safe Access to Hospitals) Amendment Act, 2021, which will allow for the creation and enforcement of safe access zones around hospitals so patients and employees won’t be harassed by protesters.

The zones would extend 50 metres from the buildings, stopping sidewalk protests near hospitals that could result in delays or harassment for people going into the facilities.

Health Minister Paul Merriman said it’s all about protecting health-care workers, patients and their families.

“This is unfortunate that we have to do something like this to protect our health-care workers because we have a very open health-care system but we need to be able to make sure that they can get to and from the hospitals,” said Merriman.

Such laws aren’t unprecedented in Canada. There are “bubble zone” laws to protect abortion access in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Quebec. As well, court injunctions have created bubble zones around hospitals in Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick.

The legislation was prompted by recent aggressive anti-COVID protests outside hospitals, according to Merriman.

The minister said when he heard such protests were happening in Saskatchewan, he was embarrassed.

“And I felt extremely bad for the health-care workers,” he said. “What they were telling me is this was a gut-shot to them, and for no reason.”

Under the legislation, harassment would include things like not allowing access to the hospital and blocking an ambulance by protesting or walking slowing across the street.

Merriman said the amendments wouldn’t disrupt picketing a labour dispute.

The changes would expire after two years, Merriman said, because he hopes the province isn’t in this position by then, but it could be extended if needed.

“I hope that we can get back to the point where the hospitals are wide open, the facilities are wide open and people in Saskatchewan aren’t so polarized on this issue and other issues,” said Merriman.

“We’re each other’s neighbours, we’re each other’s friends and family, our kids are playing on each other’s hockey teams or soccer teams or they’re going to the same dance groups. We are neighbours, and I think Saskatchewan will get back to that point very soon.”

Merriman said he would be very supportive of fast-tracking the legislation to get it passed as quickly as possible because it’s a need here and now.

In September, the Saskatchewan NDP called for the creation of the safe access zones. The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses demanded action as well.

NDP Leader Ryan Meili said his party supports the intent of the legislation but will want to go through the details.

Meili believes the protections should be extended to more facilities, including anywhere people are accessing needed medical care.

He also said he doesn’t know why there’s a two-year sunset clause on the changes.

“I think we should be looking very closely at why would this be a temporary measure. The pandemic, we hope to see end soon, (but) respecting health-care workers and patients is something I think should be a permanent change,” said Meili.

The legislation also will provide safe access for additional immunizing staff to support vaccination programs, including influenza vaccine, COVID-19 boosters and vaccines for children aged five to 11.