Around 100 protesters visited Canadian Tire in Nanaimo on Monday, Nov. 1 after an anti-COVID restriction rally earlier in the day. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PROTEST

Rally against masks, vaccine passport spills into Nanaimo store

Nov 2, 2021 | 10:22 AM

NANAIMO — Demonstrators, staunch in their opposition to some public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, took their message to a Nanaimo shopping centre.

Between 150-200 protesters descended on Canadian Tire around 5:30 p.m. of Monday, Nov. 1, following an anti-public health order rally at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said the group went into the store without masks, which forced Canadian Tire management to step in.

“The staff did an excellent job, they didn’t engage with these individuals. There’s no sense, it’s a losing argument. They had a majority of their staff leave the store, maintained a safe distance.”

A skeleton staff remained in the store during the demonstration, which lasted around 30 minutes. Some protesters reportedly purchased items through the store’s self-checkout.

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Around 20 officers attended the scene, no arrests were made.

“We engaged with the so-called leader of the group and they’re trying to make their point to disrupt the store,” O’Brien said.

Masks are currently required in most public, indoor setting in a bid to curb spread of COVID-19. Retail stores are included in the order, which was re-introduced in late August.

O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW these situations are ones which businesses will likely have to contend with as the pandemic rolls on.

“The stores should be discussing so they’re not caught flat footed on this and decide what kind of action they want to take. Number one priority is the safety of their staff.”

He added police are happy to work with businesses to help develop their plans.

Similar demonstrations from the same organizers have taken place across the country, including another planned on Vancouver Island Tuesday, Nov. 2 and in Kamloops later this week.

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