Sask. surgeon continues COVID-19 claims – but doesn’t allow questions from media
A Saskatoon surgeon invited journalists outside Walter Murray Collegiate to share his opinions on COVID-19 — but reporters were not allowed to ask questions.
Dr. Francis Christian called for the pause of the COVID-19 vaccinations for children, saying the disease does not pose a threat to kids. He said he supports the vaccine for the elderly, the vulnerable and health care workers.
“There is no emergency in children,” said Christian, who is also a professor of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan.
The College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan said it does not support Christian’s views.
Christian previously shared his views alongside some other Canadian doctors in a video posted to BitChute on June 4.
In the video, Christian said he is a “pro-vaccine” physician but calls the COVID-19 vaccine “an experimental injection” because “it isn’t being made like a vaccine.”
The Saskatchewan Health Authority said in an statement to CTV News that it doesn’t support any opinions that cast doubt on the seriousness of COVID-19 or the effectiveness of vaccines.
“This kind of communication feeds conspiracy theories and misinformation, as well as sends the false message that our health care workers at the front line are somehow faking or making up the loss of life and trauma.”
Four COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for emergency use in Canada, including the Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines.
According to the Government of Canada website, “only vaccines that are proven to be safe, effective and of high quality are authorized for use in Canada.”
It added that all of the approved vaccines have been vigorously tested during their development and carefully reviewed by Health Canada.
Family physician Dr. Chong Wong also spoke at the event, saying the risks of the COVID-19 vaccine should be more accessible.
“Every drug I prescribe for my patients, I tell them the good thing about it, and also the bad things about it — so they can decide for themselves,” Wong said.
Adverse vaccine reactions are publicly reported by Health Canada.
According to that data, serious adverse reactions have been reported after 0.005 per cent of doses.
"The benefits of vaccines authorized in Canada continue to outweigh the risks," Health Canada says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.