Two nurses protesting against Ford government wage cuts were injured outside a debate by provincial leaders in Toronto on Monday night, their union said, when progressive Conservative leader Doug’s bus arrived and prepared to disembark.
Up to 200 registered nurses who are members of the International Union of Service Workers (SEIU) Healthcare gathered in front of the TVO building in North York on Monday to protest Ford’s government law that limits their annual salary increases. below the inflation rate.
“The peaceful demonstration of nurses was met with force as police cleared a path for Doug Ford before he got off his election bus,” SEIU Healthcare spokeswoman Angelica Cruz told CP24. “It is unacceptable that injuries were received after one nurse hit the sidewalk and another nurse was injured after being dragged on the asphalt.
Video and images posted on social media from the scene show that a man wearing a purple SEIU health T-shirt appears to have been pushed by a man wearing a blue suit and earphone.
The man was then seen face down on the road, writhing in pain. Another woman in a purple shirt was seen on the ground, and she seemed to be pulled and pushed several times before she could get up.
The man on the ground was later taken to an ambulance and taken to hospital for treatment of injuries that reportedly included a concussion.
In a statement to CP24 on Wednesday, Ontario Provincial Police spokesman Bill Dixon said members of the OPP’s protection services section were involved in the debate, providing security for the three main party leaders.
Dixon said “individuals were trying to block access to the facility where the debate is taking place” when police decided to intervene.
He said no charges had been filed in connection with the incident.
“For the safety of all those present, they were moved aside, during which one fell to the ground. The person was taken to hospital for examination and later released, “he said. “As long as the OPP respects everyone’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, destructive behavior can raise security concerns. At any time when a person’s behavior reaches a threshold at which it becomes dangerous, the police must intervene to restore public safety. Only the level of intervention necessary to maintain peace, order and security shall be used. “
Police remove protesters who blocked the arrival of PC leader Doug Ford outside the Ontario election debate in Toronto on Monday, May 16, 2022. CANADIAN PRESS / Frank Gunn
A Ford spokesman, with whom CTV News Toronto arrived on Wednesday, forwarded all inquiries to Toronto police and the OPP, noting that they “do not comment on police operations.”
Meanwhile, when asked specifically what injuries both SEIU members suffered on the ground in the video, the union declined to comment.
“Our statement is the only information we will provide at the moment,” Cruz told CP24. “We will not comment further until we have explored all possibilities with legal counsel.”
For their part, Toronto police said their officers “did not forcibly move from the scene” to the scene, nor did they make any arrests.
Police remove protesters who blocked the arrival of PC leader Doug Ford outside the Ontario election debate in Toronto on Monday, May 16, 2022. CANADIAN PRESS / Frank Gunn
“No complaints have been filed with the TPS,” said Toronto police spokesman Connie Osborne. “You need to talk to the OPP (in relation to) Doug Ford’s defense officers and what they did and why.
The nursing sector as a whole is upset over Ford’s Bill 124, which limits wage increases in most sectors to one percent a year, when inflation is now approaching seven percent.
Nurses and several other associated groups of health workers received $ 5,000 in detention payments earlier this year.
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