Editor,
British Columbia is apparently divided on the public health order requiring proof of vaccination to access some non-essential businesses and services.
Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms is being cited as the argument against the order.
Specifically, it’s the restrictions imposed on one side for a personal choice not to vaccinate, compared to the fact there are no restrictions whatsoever on the other side for a personal choice to vaccinate.
That’s not defined as equal treatment under the protections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Therefore, any argument would be with the Charter and not the individual.
The seven sections of the Charter — fundamental freedoms, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, equality rights, official language rights, minority language educational rights — are protected by law in Canada.
The B.C. public health order seemingly favours the majority choosing to vaccinate while prejudicing the minority that is choosing not to vaccinate, by imposing restrictions upon them.
Discriminating against any minority is illegal, including those who choose not to vaccinate. They are the minority and only they have public health order restrictions imposed on them.
I have friends on both sides of this equation and respect equally their personal choices made. Yes, equally, without knowing the details. That’s personal. That is their right as protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
By the way, my vaccinated and non-vaccinated friends are healthy and without COVID- 19 symptoms.
I suspect B.C. should get ready for some Charter of Rights and Freedoms lawsuits challenging those restrictions imposed on the minority only, regarding their personal choices made.
Les Evens
Kamloops, BC
