New COVID mandate protest in Surrey has some locals concerned

As protests against COVID-19 mandates continue in Ottawa and across Canada, a new demonstration has popped up in Surrey.

The group, which has set up at Pacific Gateway Village, is calling for the removal of all pandemic measures, echoing calls from rally-goers in the nation’s capital.

The Lower Mainland protest started over the weekend, with more people joining in each day.

Michael, a local business owner who did not want to be identified for fear of being targeted, says trucks have been taking up parking spaces and people have been leaving garbage behind.

“One night there was some beer cans in the morning, a little bit of vomit beside a guy’s car. I went over and I told him … and they actually came over and cleaned it up, or one of the guys did,” he told CityNews.

However, he has concerns about the people who’ve joined the protest for reasons other than to speak out against mandates.

“There’s some people here that aren’t here for the same reasons a lot of other people are here, so that’s my worry. My concern is that these guys are going to keep getting revved up on energy, the good ones will leave, the bad ones will stay, and then they’ll throw a brick through my window,” he explained.

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Michael notes there are a number of businesses that are getting ready to open in the area, with contractors needing access to complete their work.

With parking taken up by demonstrators, he says some people are having a hard time.

“These are businesses that have been trying to open for one, two years during the pandemic because it was hard to get your permit and things like that. And this is right at the end, while they’re just opening … they’re all being directly affected because they’re just starting to build their business,” Michael added.

The noise is also a nuisance, with neighbourhoods around the protest site affected by honking. The location of a local daycare is another concern.

“Dealing with the honking, they’re taking naps — well, they’re trying to. It’s just confusing to them because they’re kids and they shouldn’t have to know about this craziness,” Michael, whose child attends that daycare, explained.

“These kids come out of daycare and they bolt every time… and the parents are forever chasing them to stop them from running out in the middle of the parking lot, and it’s a battle with a four-year-old, three-year-old. And you’ve got these big F-150s in there with flags and music cranking, they’re not paying attention. It only takes a little bit more negative energy before somebody makes a mistake, and that’s my biggest worry, that somebody’s kid gets hit by a car.”

‘I want to go back to getting my life on’: protester 

Jacob Hogge was at the protest Wednesday and says he’s not against vaccines, he’s just against vaccine mandates.

“I value the freedom to make decisions on what I put in my body, I’m double vaccinated and I was fortunate enough to make that decision without any mandates enticing me to make that decision,” he said.

B.C. has not mandated COVID-19 vaccines, but the province requires people to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 at bars, restaurants, and events until June 30.

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Dustin Cal is also a demonstrator and says he wants B.C. to follow suit with other provinces lifting restrictions.

“… Saskatchewan [has] lifted and I want that too, I want to go back to getting my life on. It’s been a tough couple years here. You asked for two weeks, I gave you two years and I’m ready,” he said.

“I used to coach hockey, I got that taken away, I used to play hockey, I got that taken away. Now I can’t even watch my kids play hockey, and at some point, I wanna go back.”

Saskatchewan was the first province in Canada to announce a plan to lift all COVID-19 restrictions. The province will no longer require that people provide vaccine passports starting Monday. It is also ending its indoor mask mandate at the end of the month.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said Tuesday his government will follow the lead of other Canadian provinces and immediately start phasing out COVID-19 health restrictions. He said the plan’s first step will see vaccine passports to access non-essential businesses, such as restaurants and bars.

Québec will loosen specific public health measures across the province by March 14, except for mask mandates and the vaccine passport system.

Last week Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said the Ford government would need to reassess the value of the vaccine certificate system in the coming weeks and months.

Read More: Provinces announce plans to phase out COVID-19 restrictions

RCMP monitoring Surrey protest

The Surrey RCMP says it’s been monitoring the situation and went to the area on Tuesday.

Cst. Sarbjit Sangha says officers told the estimated 20 people who were there they needed to keep their protest peaceful and respect nearby businesses.

Officers spoke with business owners as well as protesters, she explains, adding no serious incidents were reported at the time.

“A business owner has been advised that if they are concerned regarding any other ongoing issues, noise complaints, or parking issues, they can definitely call the police,” Sangha said.

When it comes to parking spaces being taken up, Sangha says businesses will have to call a towing company if they want the vehicles removed from reserved spots.

Mounties are expected to stop by the protest again on Wednesday and continue to monitor the size of the group. They are also keeping an eye on social media channels related to the protest, Sangha adds.

Some have suggested online that more protesters will be showing up at the site in Surrey over the coming days.

– With files from Lucas Casaletto