Protests blocking access to hospitals will soon be illegal in Nova Scotia.
The province is moving to add a buffer zone so demonstrations not disrupt the flow of traffic in or out of a health care facility.
The legislation will establish a 50-metre safe-access bubble zone around facilities such as hospitals, mental-health services, home-care services, long-term care services, clinics, doctors’ offices and pharmacies.
“While we fully respect the right to protest, it is important that healthcare facilities and their properties are safe spaces for patients and families to access care. People struggling with serious health issues should be protected from the additional stress and worry protests may cause.” said Dr. Heather Johnson, President, Doctors Nova Scotia.
The measures have been introduced in other areas, but were brought in during the pandemic to deal with anti-vaxxers.
“Nova Scotians have the right to access healthcare without fear for their health and safety. This includes patients and their families,” said Premier Tim Houston. “While Nova Scotians have a right to protest, protests cannot be allowed to disrupt access to healthcare. People need to be able to go to work or access the help they need without facing intimidation or harassment.”
Penalties will be similar to the Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Act, which prohibits protests at abortion services clinics
The new rules will come into place when the bill passes through the legislature this fall.
