Mount Sinai Hospital Protest 'Criminal' Show of Anti-Semitism: Trudeau

TORONTO – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has slammed a protest outside a Toronto hospital as a “reprehensible” display of anti-Semitism as police investigate several incidents during the demonstration.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the prime minister said he “strongly” condemned Monday's protest outside Mount Sinai Hospital.

Hospitals, he said, are “places of treatment and care, not protests and threats.”

Located in downtown Toronto, the hospital was founded by the Jewish community.

And Toronto police said they were investigating the incidents in front of the hospital and along the protest line, and that there would be more along the area known as Hospital Row.

Police say officers use discretion during large demonstrations, even if it's not considered safe to make an arrest at the time, and the investigation is ongoing and charges may be filed later.

They said in a statement that they “will not allow” the hospital to be disrupted and urged witnesses to come forward.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the protest, calling it “appalling” and pointed to a federal law that prohibits people from intentionally denying access to health care facilities or threatening health care workers.

The law was introduced in 2021 as protests against the COVID-19 policy took place outside health care facilities across Canada.

“Do you want to protest?” Go to City Hall, go down to Queen's Park, jump up and down, do whatever you want,” Ford said Tuesday.

“But don't put people off going to the hospital to save lives, because you never know, you could be the next person in that hospital and they're trying to save your life.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 13, 2024.

Canadian Press