September 13, 2021 - CASW stands in solidarity with those condemning protests outside of hospitals and other emergency services. All Canadians deserve to live and work in a safe environment, and with dignity and respect.
“Blocking or disrupting health-care services places an unnecessary burden not only on those providing care, but on those accessing these services” states CASW President, Joan Davis-Whalen. “Healthcare workers, including Social Workers, have held the line against the COVID-19 pandemic and deserve to be celebrated and protected, not to have their critical roles impeded by protests.”
Although advocacy is core to the profession of social work, peaceful demonstrations must also be done with care. The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to an open democracy, and social workers will always support the right to freedom of expression. However, protests cannot come at the expense of the safety and well-being of others.
“CASW will always stand beside healthcare workers, many who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic, and often at the cost of their own well-being" added Davis-Whelan. “The obstruction of health care and emergency services or access to these services is unacceptable.”