John Horgan isn’t holding back. With COVID-19 mandates lifting in BC, the premier is criticizing anti-mandate protestors, suggesting they find something better to do with their time.
“I would just say to these people: goodness me, get a hobby,” said Horgan during a media availability on Friday, as he encouraged said protestors to “give your head a shake.”
Over the past six Saturdays, crowds opposed to ongoing mandates have gathered out front of BC’s Legislature in Victoria and come Monday, another convoy of up to 1,000 vehicles is set to roll into town.
That’s just a few days after BC health officials announced they’d be repealing many remaining mandates, including face mask and BC Vaccine Card requirements.
VicPD Chief Del Manak says he’s “hopeful” the incoming convoy’s momentum will dissipate “given the latest revision and changes to the provincial health orders that have been relaxed.”
“But it remains to be seen,” Manak said Thursday, noting VicPD is taking steps to prepare, as officers work to keep protests “safe, peaceful and lawful.”
SEE ALSO: VicPD chief ‘hopeful’ lifting of COVID-19 mandates hinders incoming convoy’s momentum
According to Premier Horgan, anti-mandate protestors are a “small group of people” who have “nothing better to do with their time but to drive around in circles honking their horns.”
He says provincial health officials are removing restrictions at a pace consistent with the work done over the past two years, noting nearly 94% of BC adults are now vaccinated against the virus.
Friday’s COVID-19 update for BC pointed to 93.7% of all eligible adults having received their first dose, with 91.3% having received two.
“I wish [these protestors would] take some time to watch television and see the evening news about real tragedies and real disruptions in freedom that are going on in Europe right now,” Horgan said.
“Find a better way to take your energies and put it to positive outcomes. That’s my recommendation,” he added, “and I’m hopeful that some of the people who were planning to come here will take that to heart and do the right thing—find positive pursuits for your excess energy.”
