Anti-vaccine mandate protest outside of CCH NICK SEEBRUCH
nseebruch@seawaynews.media
CORNWALL, Ontario – A protest of well over 100 people formed in front of the Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 1 to demonstrate against the hospital’s mandate requiring staff members to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “My Body, My Choice, Communism” and “Coercion is not Consent.” The CCH had announced on Friday, Aug. 27 that it would introduce a mandatory vaccination policy for all employees and volunteers. Employees have until Sept. 7 to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and Oct. 15 to receive their second dose. On Wednesday, the CCH reported that 87 per cent of its staff were fully vaccinated, with 92 per cent having received at least one dose. Among the CCH’s medical staff, 99 per cent
are fully vaccinated. “Having every member of our organization be vaccinated against COVID-19 is consistent with the approach taken by other hospitals in our region and is a critical step to ensuring the safety of our staff, physicians and patients,” said CCH CEO and President Jeanette Despatie. Seaway News spoke with multiple protesters at the event on Wednesday afternoon, but none confirmed that they actually worked at the CCH. One protester, who spoke with Seaway News on the condition of anonymity, stated that when his mother, who was a CCH employee, was told about the mandate to get vaccinated that she had left her employment with the CCH. “Last year’s heroes are this year’s nothing,” said another protester. Despatie said that no disciplinary action
Anti-vaccine mandate protesters outside of the CCH on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 (Nick Seebruch/ Seaway News). has been taken against any employee who has refused to get vaccinated, yet. “No staff member has been disciplined for refusing vaccination against COVID-19. The new policy provides unvaccinated staff until September 7 to receive their first dose and until October 15 to prove that they are fully vaccinated, or provide a documented medical reason as to why they cannot be vaccinated. By taking this phased approach, CCH is
ensuring that staff who have not yet been vaccinated have ample opportunity and enough time to receive both doses,” she said in a statement to Seaway News. “After October 15, refusal of the COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be an option. For those who do not comply with the requirements, all options will be considered to effectively enforce our policy.”
Dean Richard Wiggers. Vollebregt said that there has been a particularly high interest in a new accelerated Personal Support Worker (PSW) program that the College began offering this past spring. The course, which is available at all three of the College’s campuses, had 200 students enroll in the first year. Newly introduced by the College last week
was a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students and staff members. As of Sept. 7, students and staff will have to either present proof of vaccination or proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test. Students and staff are expected to have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and have until Oct. 15 to receive their second dose.
SLC students return to class NICK SEEBRUCH
nseebruch@seawaynews.media
CORNWALL, Ontario – St. Lawrence College (SLC) is ready to welcome their students back to campus on Sept. 7. The 1,067 students at SLC’s Cornwall campus can expect a mix of in-person and remote learning. “Health and safety is our number one
priority, but we also want to ensure that all students have their college experience,” said SLC President Glenn Vollebregt. He went on to explain that most students will have a blended experience of both in-person and remote learning. “We are working closely with faculty to determine which programs and which services will be in-person,” said Cornwall Campus
Port Theatre fundraiser honours memory of Melissa St. Denis Godard
14 - Wednesday, September 8, 2021
- Seaway News - www.cornwallseawaynews.com
nseebruch@seawaynews.media
CORNWALL, Ontario – The Port Threatre held a special night for Yvon Godard and Melissa St. Denis Godard. Melissa, who was battling terminal cancer at the time, wanted to attend a live concert as a part of her bucket list, and Port Theatre owner Larry Sylvain decided that he would help put together a concert just for her. Larry set aside a private area for Yvon and Melissa in the upstairs area and they got to experience Led Zeppelin cover band Mothership in all of their glory, with Yvon saying they even had a chance to dance to the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven. “The band said even if it was just the two of us, they would play. They were great,” said Yvon. In addition to helping complete a dream
and create a tender moment for this couple, Larry and his team of volunteers that night also collected donations for Carefor Hospice Cornwall. Sadly, Melissa passed away on March 22, 2021 at the age of 56, but Larry and Yvon were able to make a contribution in her name to the community. In Melissa’s memory, Yvon and Larry, with help from Yvon’s granddaughter Delilah were able to present a cheque for $2,822 in memory of Melissa to Carefor Hospice Cornwall on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. Pictured from left-to-right are Port Theatre owner Larry Sylvain, Delilah, and her grandfather Yvon Godard holding a portrait of Melissa St. Denis Godard. (Nick Seebruch/ Seaway News).
You are cordially invited to attend the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of CORNWALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Date: Wednesday September 22, 2021 Time: 12:00 noon Location: Zoom link provided with RSVP
Vous êtes cordialement invité à assister à l’assemblée générale annuelle de la FONDATION DE L’HÔPITAL COMMUNAUTAIRE DE CORNWALL Date : mercredi 22 septembre 2021 Heure : 12 h Endroit : Lien zoom fourni avec l’invitation
The agenda will include reports from the Board Chair, the Executive Director and the Auditors.
L’ordre du jour comprendra les rapports du président du Conseil,
RSVP
RSVP
Phone: 613-930-4508 • Email: kelsey.lindsay@cornwallhospital.ca
de la directrice générale et des vérificateurs.
Téléphone : 613-930-4508 • Courriel : kelsey.lindsay@cornwallhospital.ca
322899
NICK SEEBRUCH
