Vocal critic of COVID-19 health measures among Sask. ICU patients moved to Ont., supporters say
A former federal candidate and prominent critic of public health measures during the pandemic is among the handful of COVID-19 ICU patients that were moved to Ontario this week.
That's according to information provided by his supporters in a video shared online.
On Monday, the Saskatchewan government announced that some ICU patients would be transferred to Ontario to help relieve pressure on the province's health care system which has been stretched to its limits by the fourth wave of COVID-19.
In an update, broadcast from the room where Mark Friesen often streams videos online, supporter Tamara Lavoie said Friesen has been moved to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto.
In the video, Lavoie said she and others gained access to Friesen's "Grizz's Den" studio in order to update his followers. Friesen often refers to himself as the "Grizzly Patriot" online.
Lavoie, who has also opposed COVID-19-related public health measures, did not say Friesen has tested positive for COVID-19.
"Mark has been in the hospital with pneumonia for the last three weeks, he was in ICU here in Saskatoon," Lavoie said in the video.
During a teleconference on Friday, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency president Marlo Pritchard said at this point only COVD-19 ICU patients are being moved out of province.
In the video Lavoie and another supporter, former B.C. PPC candidate Jody Craven, solicit donations they say will be directed to Friesen's family.
Friesen, who is typically active on Twitter, often using the platform to share his views concerning public health measures during the pandemic, has not tweeted since Sept. 30.
Attempts by CTV News to contact Friesen or his family have been unsuccessful.
Friesen, who ran for the People's Party of Canada (PPC) in the Saskatoon-Grasswood riding, spoke to CTV News on election night.
Like many at the PPC event held at the Saskatoon Inn, which is under investigation by police, Friesen opted not to wear a mask despite a provincial mandate that had recently come into effect.
"A lot of people aren't scared of COVID here, they're just not scared of it. And even if somebody was to possibly succumb to it, we just look at it as, that's life, that's an experience," Friesen said at the time.
After the onset of the pandemic, Friesen emerged as a prominent voice in Saskatchewan criticizing COVID-19-related public health rules and organizing "freedom rally" protests against such measures.
In late September, Friesen was part of an effort to pause Saskatchewan's then-forthcoming proof-of-vaccination policy through a court injunction.
The request was quickly quashed by a judge.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.