Anti-mandate protesters gather for a demonstration at the side of Territorial Drive in North Battleford on Saturday. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Asking for choice

Anti-mandate demonstrations continue in North Battleford

Oct 24, 2021 | 5:00 PM

As Saskatchewan residents continue to adjust to the new health mandates introduced by the provincial government earlier this fall, there remains a contingent going against these measures.

Despite ugly weather conditions, around two dozen people took part in an anti-mandate demonstration by 9800 Territorial Drive in North Battleford on Saturday. Most held homemade signs, decrying proof of vaccination, and other measures the province has taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people there had gathered the previous week on the east side of the city.

Organizers Olesya and Ivan Izgagin said their goal is not to demonize anyone but advocate that everyone respect the right of other people’s freedom of choice.

“We are not against vaccines, against masks, as long as you don’t force them on people who don’t want them,” Olesya said.

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Currently, all public indoor spaces require masking and sectors like live sporting events and hospitality require proof of vaccination or a recent negative test result.

A different country

The Izgagin’s said their views are informed, in part, by their experiences growing up in Russia. When they immigrated to Canada 10 years ago, they said they did so for the freedom they would have to find employment and not be shunned for their religion or for holding different views than the government. Ivan said he distinctly remembers how it felt to cross the border and begin a new life.

“An immigration officer gave us our papers and told us we were permanent residents and we can now leave and work anywhere in Canada,” he said. “Those were the most precious words, which we never forgot. But now, that has been taken away.”

Olesya and Ivan Izgagin. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

Several people at the demonstration expressed the view that the government should not influence health decisions of residents. Ivan said they understand the need to protect people, but that the government is overreaching and this is growing increasingly concerning.

“Government is for protecting our rights, not our bodies,” Ivan said.

“We know what to eat or drink, what is best for our kids, much better than the government does,” Olesya added.

At this time, the province has not approved vaccination for kids under 12. There have been three deaths related to COVID-19 among Saskatchewan residents 19 and younger, while the latest report of new positive cases found 49 in children 11 and younger.

Distrust abound

A common theme in discussion among those protesting the mandates was a lack of trust in the data being reported. When asked about the overflow of ICU COVID-19 patients that were unvaccinated, Olesya Izgagin said she heard differently when she asked people in that sector.

“I’ve talked to many nurses and doctors who say hospitals have always [been short] on beds, that it’s always been a problem in Canada,” she said. “I’m not a nurse, I don’t work there, but I ask these people those questions because I want to know the truth.”

“If [what the government has said] is true, then I will stay at home, isolate and do whatever I can to protect myself and others, but not if it’s not true… well then that’s not true.”

“In agriculture, we use local data to make decisions and when we look around at what’s happening [here] it’s very different than what we see on the news,” Ivan said. “We’ve seen for a year and a half already, this is not changing, it’s getting worse.”

The province recently transferred multiple ICU patients to Ontario, due to the lack of available beds in Saskatchewan hospitals, and have also asked U.S. states for assistance. As of Friday, Saskatchewan Health reported 77 ICU patients due to COVID-19, three of which are in the North West. 165 of the 231 new cases were unvaccinated individuals or those how had not reached 21 days since their first vaccine dose.

(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

Demonstrator Elaine LeClair, a retiree who said she still works part time as a nurse in Edam, called for the government to allow discussion for those in medical fields who’ve disagreed with current safety measures.

“They need to stop cancelling people who are scientists and specialists, that are stepping out and saying the opposite of what we’re hearing from these health centres,” she said.

A Saskatoon doctor was suspended earlier this summer by the University of Saskatchewan for speaking at a rally where he called for a pause the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12.

The Izgagin’s said they are also concerned about how they feel government is pitting people against each other. Their last comment was for everyone put away hostility towards one another, regardless of vaccination status.

“Don’t stop loving each other, don’t put your hands down,” they said. “Quit complaining about vaccinated or unvaccinated, people need to stand up united and together again.”

Details on the Government of Saskatchewan’s COVID-19 response, including public health measures, case numbers, information for businesses and vaccine appointment bookings, is available online.

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josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports