Vaccine mandate is felt in Tagish
The Tagish Fire Department has been left in an uncomfortable and untenable position with three members on unpaid leave... including the fire chief.
The Tagish Fire Department has been left in an uncomfortable and untenable position with three members on unpaid leave... including the fire chief.
Myron Penner and two other firefighters have chosen not to submit their documents regarding their vaccination status as per the Yukon government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Penner didn’t answer last Thursday afternoon when the Star asked him if he is vaccinated. Instead, he said he is refusing to comply with the mandate on principle.
“I don’t believe this is a necessity,” he told the Star.
Penner said he and his firefighters discussed the issue as a team.
The department has eight firefighters in total, although some do not spend the winter in the territory.
Four fighters in total, including Penner, were available for coverage during the next few months. Penner and one other firefighter who was available are on unpaid leave.
The two remaining firefighters, while having some concerns about the mandate, agreed to stay on just to keep the department open so it can continue to receive funding.
However, Penner said, that’s not enough staff to effectively respond to incidents on their own, and those two firefighters aren’t fully trained and accredited to handle situations alone.
That means they would have to wait for backup from neighbouring departments such as Marsh Lake or Mt. Lorne.
“That’s going to take time,” Penner pointed out. “People need to know there will be delayed responses and service.”
He said he made that point during a meeting open to the public a month ago – but community and government leaders haven’t really done anything about it.
The vaccine mandate, he said, is starting to cause cracks in the close-knit community.
Some people in the public are understanding of why Penner is refusing to comply, while others are not.
Penner said he’s hoping to simply wait the government out. He said he’s hoping that the mandate will be modified or removed by the spring of 2022.
He’s not losing money on the suspension, since he donates his honourarium to the Tagish firefighters’ association.
In his absence, one of the other firefighters still on duty has assumed the position to ensure the honourarium will be paid.
Penner said he’s a construction worker, but firefighting has always been his passion. He’s worked at the Whitehorse airport as a firefighter in the past.
“The fire job is my passion,” he said.
Comments (47)
Up 6 Down 1
L.Barnes on Dec 30, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Well..fear mongering from everywhere. This side..no wait..that side..inside and outside. Humans are the absolute 'idiotic' animal species on this planet. Who was it that said "To err is human"..yes..I do know..that was a rhetorical question!
Each to their own and all that. Thing is people..please don't spout off bs when facts are facts. Not maybe's..not possible's..not opinions. For every one of those people in Tagish that are yakking and printing out 'their facts'..there will be somewhere..someone elses 'facts'.
MP and others made their choices..I make mine. Difference is this, I do not try to force my choice on others. MP (and others) have the time and finances to blanket the community of Tagish in our personal mailboxes and spaces with their very own 'in the face' opinions. Wrong..so wrong to do that. Do not send paper mail with your own 'fierce opinions' and add peoples personal phone numbers..then..oh then..not even sign your own name. Shame on you! Yes, Tagish is a good community..it has ups and downs..like everywhere. Division happens not from 'the government'..division comes from the individuals living in the community. We can all share. The two plus people that are running the EMS in Tagish right now..YAYYYY!! Good..cuz one of those two is probably the most qualified person in all of Tagish. Stop blaming the government for everything or ?? We all can very well..and very healthily..live with ourselves and others. The 'government' has always been around..and when it is the one that 'you want'..maybe it is the one that 'someone else' doesn't..right?!!
Come on..just pull up your damn pants and grow up and get a long. Time changes so fast..most are eating well, no leaky roof, got heat and apparently lots of paper, stamps and ink. Just get along. Be nice..way easier than scrapping to make others tow your line. Personally..I have lived in Tagish for nearly 40 years. My heart home. I have worked for the community and still enjoy that work.
Paid and not paid..that is part of being a community. Being able to volunteer is always possible. When something else creates parameters to volunteer within..look outside those 'walls'. There will always be somewhere to help..always. Thank you.
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Root River on Dec 24, 2021 at 2:10 pm
Tagish needs volunteer firefighters?
Sign me up! Thing is though, I'm not entirely comfortable with people telling me what to do. See, I get a bit claustrophobic, so the air packs aren't really going to work for me. Same with the turn-outs. I've done the research, and I'm not convinced they're safe. It's not that I'm anti-PPE, I just don't feel that enough research has been done, and I'm not comfortable with others telling me what's best for me. Same with training courses. I've watched a LOT of Youtube videos on firefighting, and I feel like the jury is still out on proper protocol.
Now, who do I see about signing up?
Up 29 Down 12
Crunch on Dec 23, 2021 at 8:42 pm
The Liberal Party of Yukon will regret this move for a long time. Just as the YP regret their move on the Peel and as Kate will regret the rent cap move. Sometimes people do stupid things for seemingly little reason.
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Politico on Dec 23, 2021 at 5:56 pm
This is a purely human caused problem with a human solution. Very easy to solve if Tagish wants to.
Up 18 Down 0
DA on Dec 23, 2021 at 2:28 pm
@Apex Parasite,
I disagree with your interpretation of things, but I appreciate that you were able to reply to my comment without being rude or disrespectful.
Up 14 Down 10
Vlad on Dec 23, 2021 at 5:30 am
@Roy. I am quite sure the former president Trump and former Fox News host O'Reilly have taken vaccines because it was their choice and not because of some idiotic mandate.
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Sunny Petersen on Dec 22, 2021 at 10:34 am
@ Roy
Please explain what former US president Trump has to do with the Tagish Fire Department being in need of volunteers because of the Yukon government mandate? I suppose Trump makes his choices about his health, and I make mine about my health and Myron makes his about his health. As it should be.
Otherwise I will let you know that you should not use vegetable oils, eat French fries and forget to take your Vitamin D. How about I MANDATE that to you and your family?! No more popcorn and chips, buddy!
Up 43 Down 22
Sunny Petersen on Dec 22, 2021 at 10:24 am
@Jane Hermanson
Luckily for you and others there are now all sorts of volunteer options open in Tagish, as well as two jobs at the community hall. You can now: manage or be part of the EMS team (courses required), be the Tagish fire chief or part of the team (criminal record check, medical and air brakes course required), be on the Tagish Hall Board, drive people home from hospital and get meds for them in town on your private time in your private vehicle, run the local church, paint the hall, be on the Tagish Advisory Council, do 3 weeks managing the sand bagging effort during flooding, take in handicapped people and work abroad travellers, cook the monthly pancake breakfast and do the senior Christmas Dinner at the hall, organize Canada Day, etc.
Yes, it is indeed very selfish of Myron to not attest and of Shelley to refuse the vaxx because of her chronic medical condition and therefore leave the community hanging like this but fortunately there should now be a surge of vaccinated volunteers emerging to take the positions. After all, who are we going to call when our house burns or we have a heart attack?
And don’t forget the ice rink still needs ice.
Up 11 Down 25
Roy on Dec 22, 2021 at 10:17 am
@Salty tears
You could have just said “The unvaccinated clearly don't take health recommendations”
“Who cares what Trump or Bill O'Reilly said?”
- Lots of Canadians do. I’m not sure why. But try to pay attention ok?
“People down voted your comment because it is at best ridiculous hyperbole”
- Nope. Wrong. It was a quote. Look up hyperbole because like a lot of the words you trot out you end up using them incorrectly. That’s that pesky Dunning Kruger flaring up in you.
“and more likely entirely wrong.”
- I think you meant to say “or” instead of “and”. And again, to no ones surprise, you’re wrong. I made it clear it was a quote.
You’re pretending it was exaggerated or even made up. But as I explained that is just your brain short circuiting into further denial of reality.
Up 39 Down 11
At home in the Yukon on Dec 21, 2021 at 9:44 pm
Let me see, there's a fire. Either all the people are out of the building, and the firefighters are easily maintaining their 6 feet from the general public and wearing gas masks
or
Or there's somebody that needs rescuing in the building. Wouldn't want 'em to get COVID while they are being rescued, nope. Golly, COVID is way the heck less deadly than being caught in a burning building.
Up 14 Down 25
Nathan Living on Dec 21, 2021 at 6:55 pm
I get the vaccine hesitancy based on principle and perhaps questionable science but it collides with the governments precautionary approach.
If these people want to work and help people they need to report they are vaccinated. If one of their siblings who lives in the south is sick from covid or another illness I believe they need proof of vaccination before flying.
So far there is no out for them.
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Not My Quote But It’s A Good One on Dec 21, 2021 at 5:50 pm
You believed 2 weeks would get you ‘back to normal’.
You believed masking up would get you ‘back to normal’.
You believed a lock down would get you ‘back to normal’.
You believed a vaccine would get you ‘back to normal’.
You believed a circuit breaker would get you ‘back to normal’.
You believed a passport would get you ‘back to normal’.
You believed a second dose would get you ‘back to normal’.
You believed others being vaccinated would get you ‘back to normal’.
Now you believe a 3rd dose will get you ‘back to normal’.
Is it any wonder people aren’t buying it anymore and some saw through it and said no in the first place?
Up 27 Down 11
Salt on Dec 21, 2021 at 5:05 pm
@Roy
Your poor mixed up brain. The unvaccinated clearly don't take health recommendations from politicians, left or right. Who cares what Trump or Bill O'Reilly said?
People down voted your comment because it is at best ridiculous hyperbole and more likely entirely wrong. A simple comparison of 2020 to 2021 is all that is required to see that.
Up 28 Down 14
bonanzajoe on Dec 21, 2021 at 4:52 pm
Cindy, you wouldn't be saying that if you were having a heart attack and an ambulance couldn't respond because many of them were on unpaid leave because they wouldn't get vaxxed. Same goes if your house was on fire. I can just imagine what you would be saying against the ambulance and fire service. If you survived that is.
Up 29 Down 22
bonanzajoe on Dec 21, 2021 at 4:48 pm
Roy, with so many people in the world and Canada/Yukon already having the vaccine, why are cases climbing? Start doing some serious research. "If the blind lead the blind, will they not both fall into a ditch? Are you wearing your mask over your eyes instead of your nose and mouth?
Up 25 Down 6
Apolitical decision on Dec 21, 2021 at 4:06 pm
@Roy: Do you really think people who decline to be vaccinated made their decision because of Trump?
Up 20 Down 5
Rick S on Dec 21, 2021 at 3:58 pm
Thanks, Roy! I had no idea Trump was vaccinated. I just made my first appointment. Gosh, I could've saved my job and all that time and trouble if I just would've known!
Up 24 Down 49
Roy on Dec 21, 2021 at 2:04 pm
To all the right wing/antivax people downvoting my comment below
Be aware that everything I said in that post is a direct quote of Donald Trump from this week when he did a live show with former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly
You can look on the far right websites to confirm it’s true.
Trump is triple vaxxed. Bill O’Reilly is triple vaxxed.
Your conspiracies are colliding with each other and your brain cells are struggling to make sense of it all. One half of your brain is now trying to convince the other side that this can’t be true.
Good luck.
Up 52 Down 21
Jeff Bikaboom on Dec 21, 2021 at 1:31 pm
Those who have their homes burn down were given a choice. Have a fire department or support the mandates. It up to them, no one is forcing them to support the mandate, time to deal with the consequences. Not my problem.
There is a clear distinction between those who help others and those who complain and feel entitled. I can't believe anyone supports the mandate for volunteers in a remote community or has the audacity act shame them after they are removed.
I can imagine these volunteers stopping by the next fire to stand by and watch it burn, but in reality they would probably risk their lives to help. You know, being decent human being and all.
I believe without a proper fire department, insurance prices go through the roof. It will be a shame if the insurance companies find out about the lack of protection around the Yukon. Yukoners are digging a hole they cannot get themselves out of. Again, it appears it is your problem when people are removed from their jobs. Maybe the C.O.'s were trained in firefighting. Time for the righteous supporters of this nonsense to start filling in and doing something for their community.
It is mid afternoon during a blizzard. I have not seen one city worker all day. Can some of those that support the mandates start clearing snow in front of the city lots?.
Up 48 Down 15
Apex Parasite on Dec 21, 2021 at 1:27 pm
@DA
I think part of what's happening is that people are figuring out that this is all a mad scramble and that's true of average joe as well as supposed authorities.
However you feel about the vaccine mandate there are many strange factors surrounding the mandate and the subject of vaccination. There are many but the most glaring to me are:
- vaccination is the only allowable conversation. If you talk about ways to treat yourself if you get infected you are anti vax. There are ways, and they are easily searchable, to help yourself fight off covid quicker. Some are proven effective in many many places but in the west there is only the vaccine. A silver bullet. All your eggs in one basket.
Many things we had been told about the vax have turned out to be less than true and I don't even think it was because anyone was trying to deceive but they are trying to a job as best they can and simply are not sure of anything. "The vax will greatly reduce being able to transmit the virus"...not true, everyone is seeing it now. People have a right to question a narrative that changes like the wind and contradicts itself every week.
- Taking peoples jobs away in the name of an as yet unproven notion that the vax is the answer. The premise only a few weeks ago was that the unvaxxed would spread the covid. Now it's very clear that the vaxxed are also spreading it with good effect. Yet these people are still being demonized for being cautious and thoughtful. Human beings at any given point in the history of time have been up to something stupid. You know we are up to something stupid at this very moment but we are blind to it until we can look back and see what whack jobs we were.
We don't burn witches anymore, but we did once. People who realized we were in fact not the center of the universe were treated very very badly over that. it's always something. Seems to me a global focus on a single point miracle cure for the virus that has taken on all the zeal and faith based facets of a religion might rank right up there when we look back. "Wow...I was just reading about the covian cult...crazy".
People will spout pro vax stances with great confidence when really they can be only as confident as the vax experts and their track record so far is pretty poor. Yet the will denigrate others at the drop of a word from a standpoint of really having no way to know. But they have "faith" or they "believe".
-mass formation psychosis....is worth googling.
-money. Big pharma stocks are soaring. Do you really expect they will be willing to not lobby for their boosters to be used in perpetuity? Sounds conspiratorial... but people will do anything for money. Anything. I'd be more apt to have faith in the vax narrative were it not for the money.
This thing changes day to day. Yet those in power would have you believe they are on top of it when they're clearly not. I'm double vaxxed but not yet boosted n likely will do that.. but I have some serious reservations about what is going on here. So I'm like a fully vaccinated anti vaxxer I guess. I have no faith in it but I also need to work and get around and see my grandchildren so I'll do what I have to in that regard but I do actually admire those that are willing to more or less ruin their lives for what they believe are their rights and have questions about what is going on.
The vax may or may not be the answer but if it is the only conversation allowed to happen then we are going down a dark road I feel.
Up 22 Down 9
Tossers on Dec 21, 2021 at 1:09 pm
Why don’t you run them then, Jane? And Roy, your ability to transcribe Trump’s speech is truly remarkable.
Up 39 Down 19
Salt on Dec 21, 2021 at 12:28 pm
Nothing quite says cult like demanding people violate themselves in order to satisfy another.
Up 20 Down 1
Anie on Dec 21, 2021 at 12:23 pm
DMZ -yes, that dept has the largest number of unvaccinated - because that is the largest department.
Up 46 Down 20
Ben on Dec 21, 2021 at 12:13 pm
@Layla - You’re insisting that somebody do something with their body for your safety, but they’re somehow selfish if they don’t….interesting logic you have. Especially interesting when as you say “Omicron is coming” (ermygod!!!!!!) and our vaccines are showing their limitations in terms of stopping COVID. Look up the definition of the “Herd Immunity” that our illustrious premier keeps bringing up and ask yourself if that can be achieved with a vaccine that doesn’t stop infection or spread…… don’t bother to provide an update on what you find, I already know the answer.
Up 47 Down 22
Josey Wales on Dec 21, 2021 at 10:05 am
Well good for those folks actually taking a stand.
Suppose for the triple vaccinated ( drug...nomenclature matters) and those running around with metaphorical pitchforks OTHERING folks?
Guess they may have to be more careful around fire, or ban fires with a mandate...for our safety of course?
Up 42 Down 70
DA on Dec 21, 2021 at 9:50 am
I think the requirement to be vaccinated and show proof of vaccination is reasonable. No one is being oppressed. No one's rights are being trampled on. We're in the middle of a pandemic. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Do your part and get vaccinated.
Up 70 Down 26
Forced to Comply on Dec 21, 2021 at 8:13 am
Wow, some of the comments on here are disgusting. Attacking people for choosing not to be vaccinated is appalling and you should be ashamed of yourselves as they’ve already lost their income and are treated like pariahs by you people. You're the ones that are wrong with our society, not them. I choose to treat others with kindness, not to feel morally superior but to just be a decent person.
If any of you ever wonder how people sold out their neighbours in past atrocities, it started with thinking like you are now toward the unvaccinated. Absolutely terrible to see.
Up 53 Down 24
Admiral A$$ on Dec 21, 2021 at 8:05 am
Wow the fear...Omicron is coming for you!! Decried everyone. Can't tell if there is a new strain of virus or fear going around here. Looks like most of you caught the new fear bug. Nothing is coming for me, were all fine. Aside from all the scared sheep here, almost palpable. Go get your 20th booster I am sure it will make you feel better. Won't do anything to stop the spread but sure will make you feel a lot better.
Up 60 Down 26
iBrian on Dec 21, 2021 at 4:36 am
I don’t see why people who are vaccinated worry about people who are not.
It seems people have forgot that being vaccinated doesn’t prevent you from contracting this Covid19. It’s all BS as far as I am concerned.
As a person who had Covid in 2020, and was in direct contact with confirmed people, who never caught it again. The best thing you can do is get the flu, and carry on.
I find it repulsive that these vaccinated people dehumanize those who have chosen to not line up like sheep and get a experimental injection.
Up 52 Down 29
Salt on Dec 20, 2021 at 10:08 pm
Just a little hysterical layla. The vaccines don’t work. Masks don’t work. Lockdowns don’t work. The reality of the last year is obvious. The Covidians at this point are just zealots. Your rituals and symbols have no real effect on the virus. Omicron seems to actually prefer the vaccinated. Yet you prefer to demonize others as opposed to admit you were wrong.
Up 45 Down 48
Cindy L MacKrell on Dec 20, 2021 at 10:08 pm
Totally behind having anyone providing essential services being fully vaccinated.
Up 51 Down 27
NOYFB on Dec 20, 2021 at 10:03 pm
Penner didn’t answer when the Star asked if he was vaccinated? I wouldn’t, either. It’s none of your F***ing beeswax. And you printed my letter months ago to the same effect, so I presume you concur. You shouldn’t be asking,
Up 37 Down 25
Tater on Dec 20, 2021 at 10:00 pm
Well, I know several firefighters. NONE of them would do ANYTHING to cripple the fire service.
But Mr Penner does have that choice and has exercised it.
Especially interesting since "firefighting has always been his passion."
Up 63 Down 24
D. Stephen Robertson on Dec 20, 2021 at 9:59 pm
If your cabin were on fire or you needed an ambulance because of some traumatic injury would you be thinking, “gee, I sure hope those VOLUNTEER emergency responders have had their vaccines.” BnR and Layla: you’re the ones with your heads up your arses. Shame on you. You’re mean-spirited.
Up 31 Down 50
Roy on Dec 20, 2021 at 9:40 pm
You are playing right into their hands when you dismiss the vaccines.
We did something that was historic, we saved tens of millions of lives worldwide with these vaccines.
Covid-19 was going to ravage the country far beyond what it is right now if the vaccines had not been developed.
We should all take credit for this because what we've done is historic. Don't let anyone take it away.
You are playing right into their hands when you sort of dismiss it like, 'oh…the vaccine.’
Did I get a booster?
Yes I did.
Up 46 Down 32
bonanzajoe on Dec 20, 2021 at 8:21 pm
Bnr, ever hear of civil "rights"? You will when you lose them all. This is just the beginning. Enjoy the little that you have now. Soon, you will have to have a permit to visit the village or town outside your own. Maybe you should study up on the tyranny of Marxist Communism. Its not coming, it's here - locked and loaded.
Up 47 Down 23
bonanzajoe on Dec 20, 2021 at 8:17 pm
And these Liberals call this the EMERGENCIES ACT. What Hypocrisy.
Up 61 Down 23
Yukoner ‘71 on Dec 20, 2021 at 7:27 pm
Time for the mob to demonize the volunteers who give of their time for the good of their communities eh? Talk about setting people against each other, if some Yukoners will verbally attack volunteer firefighters and paramedics because those volunteers choose to exercise their entirely legitimate right to make their own choices then there’s no one else the mob won’t go after either. Talk about divide and conquer, there’s no better example of that than what is going on in this country and this territory in 2021, neighbour against neighbour it’s happening in front of our eyes here today in the name of a virus.
Way to go government leaders and media, this is what you’ve created with your non stop fear porn.
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Douglas James Martens on Dec 20, 2021 at 6:55 pm
Sorry to say but someone else's severe case of mysophobia (irrational fear of germs) is not my problem. Many of us on the receiving side of all this violence from the vaxx the hell out of everything camp, are bearing a rather heavy load here with businesses going down, friends dying of cancer alone in palliative care, concern over family members and friends who have had their humanity permanently modified, as well as being shunned and considered a persona non grata by many who choose to go along with the status quo.
We are viewed by some as being selfish, although the logic of this eludes me entirely. Presumably the fear is we will catch it and force a societal collapse due to becoming unnecessarily sick and dying while tying up medical services needlessly. And yet, here we are, many of us unvaxxed, nearly all of us woefully unvaxxed citizens in fact, carrying on with our lives as best we can and arguably not getting sick more often than those who have submitted to the experimental shots, and when we do get the sniffles or worse, we are finding that the normal consequence is a fairly speedy recovery provided we stay out of the hospital and off the ventilator.
The breakdown of societal bonds is the biggest sad result of this gloomy story and I wish that each of us would be allowed to simply make our own decision and respect the wishes of those who wish to leave this life someday with their humanity and dignity somewhat intact instead of being forced like cattle into the branding chute of public opinion and governmental decree.
Please, let me take my chances and die of the dreaded common covid in peace if it comes to that and I will do my best not to tie up your precious medical system. Thank you.
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Jane Hermanson on Dec 20, 2021 at 6:29 pm
Most of EMS and fire and community hall are not vaccinated. The hall is closed because they have no one vaccinated to open the doors. Tagish people are being punished for the stupidity of these few people. We don't need the penners running EMS, fire department, and community hall. Enough is enough!!
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DMZ on Dec 20, 2021 at 6:09 pm
One thing that surprised me was how many people working in health services are on leave. I can't remember the number, but it was one of the largest groups. When you've got the CMO advising the government to put in vaccine mandates and they haven't even been able to convince people in their own orbit, it's kind of ironic.
Never underestimate the allure of a bigger hammer, I guess.
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yukoner72 on Dec 20, 2021 at 5:44 pm
layla - your intelligent comment says it all.
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Joe on Dec 20, 2021 at 4:32 pm
Congratulations to all of those who oppose this discrimination. History is repeating itself. Mob rules. It's ok to get an abortion but god forbid you choose not to take a vaccine that doesn't prevent transmission.
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layla on Dec 20, 2021 at 4:07 pm
Yukoner72 - It is not the mandate putting a severe crimp into the community of Tagish or any other community! It is the selfish unvaccinated who abandoned their fellow citizens. Omicron is coming!
Ditto to Salt. Get your heads out of your arses!
Premier Silver, Do not give in to these foolish people!
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BnR on Dec 20, 2021 at 3:59 pm
I'd be leery of any emergency worker who cares more about conspiracy theories than the community they purport to serve. I mean, firefighters say they'd go into a burning building, but wouldn't get a vaccine and let their employer know?
C'mon.
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yukoner72 on Dec 20, 2021 at 3:06 pm
In addition to the fire dept being short staffed, the EMS is also short staffed as several paramedics have been put on leave without pay. The community centre is closed until Jan 10 due to a shortage of staff. This mandate is putting a severe crimp into the community of Tagish.
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Salt on Dec 20, 2021 at 2:42 pm
Thank you to the firefighters for having the courage to serve and the courage to stand for what is right in the age of cancel culture.
Thank you to everyone who stands against a mandate that is wrong, both morally and scientifically.