National Citizen’s Inquiry Calls for Witnesses on Goverment Lockdowns

Panelists at the “Citizens' Hearing”—an independent inquiry into Canada's pandemic response—listen to stories of Canadians adversely affected by COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions, in Toronto on June 23, 2022. (L–R) Former Reform Party leader Preston Manning, retired Ontario pediatrician Dr. Susan Natsheh, and David Ross, president of the Canadian Covid Care Alliance. Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times

An independent, non-governmental National Citizen’s Inquiry (NCI) into the government’s handling of COVID-19 is now calling for a variety of witnesses from across the country, announced former federal Official Opposition leader and veteran politician Preston Manning on Dec. 20.

At a press conference Tuesday, Manning said the NCI will hold nine hearings across the country and anticipates 300 to 400 witnesses from a variety of perspectives will provide testimony before a citizen-led inquiry. The NCI is inviting those who would like to participate to make a submission to take part.

A sign on a shop window indicates the store is closed in Ottawa, on March 23, 2020. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

“What we’re looking for is witnesses to testify as to the impacts of these measures on their personal and family lives, personal stories, but we’re also looking for expert testimony, particularly from experts whose alternative medical narratives or alternative scientific narratives were ignored, or even censored during the time of the pandemic,” Manning said.

“This invitation is extended to experts in the areas of economics; health care; mental health and wellness; constitutional expertise; learning; and any other area significantly affected by pandemic response at any level. The call also extends to non-experts those with personal stories that have been overlooked, stories that will help illuminate any shortcomings in the responses of the last year,” he added.

The commissioners heading the inquiries will be looking for recommendations on what could have been done differently to avoid the harms of lockdowns and government measures taken during COVID.

Lockdown Harms

In a national opinion survey conducted by the NCI in mid-October and published Nov. 1, three out of four respondents reported being hurt or injured by health protection measures put in place by governments during COVID.

“These were not people hurt by COVID,” Manning said. “They were hurt by lockdowns.”

Demonstrators march at a protest against COVID-19 restrictions, in Peterborough, Ont., on April 24, 2021. Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press

The survey of more than 1,500 Canadians suggested that isolation was the top harm respondents selected. Twenty-five percent of those polled said they were affected by government restrictions, citing examples such as being prohibited from attending a funeral, being unable to visit sick or other loved ones, education impacts on students, and increased divorce and marital disharmony.

“Canadians want an inquiry into what went right and what went wrong during COVID [and] what lessons were learned that will mean better management of a future national crisis,” said Manning.

Projected dates for the inquiry are for in-person and virtual hearings to begin in mid-March and conclude by mid-May. The proposed locations are Moncton, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Red Deer, Victoria, and Ottawa, with the commissioners expected to produce their final report by late June.

A not-for-profit, federally incorporated organization has been set up to take donations and fund the inquiry. The public has been asked to make submissions with names of potential commissioners who could be trusted to be part of such an initiative, which would begin in early 2023.

Manning led the Reform Party of Canada for more than a decade. His late father, Ernest Manning, served as premier of Alberta for 25 years, beginning in 1943.