On March 7, 2022 I was fired by Island Health as the Injury/Violence Prevention Education Consultant (a permanent, non-contract, non-union position), for refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccines, based on the Provincial Health Office order that all health professionals working in hospitals do so, led by Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix.

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I had a doctor help me apply for an exemption which was under consideration, because of anaphylaxis which I developed in June 2020. Bonnie Henry’s office ordered me to procure an appointment with an allergist while I was on a protected mental health leave ending January 31, 2022. I did initiate the process of attempting to procure the appointment upon returning to my job. The office gave me 14 days to get the appointment - exactly 14 days before the mental health leave ended. It took me 27 days to get the appointment. Before I could even get the appointment, the exemption was denied.

 

Watch the video I recorded with the permission of the Island Health HR staff Janice Rotinksy, admitting she knows the vaccines don’t stop transmission (Centre for Disease Control USA admitted this in January 2022). It’s a shocking admission, and clear complicity in medical tyranny. My livelihood was destroyed, and I was denied Medical EI by Service Canada. Sadly, a 20 year employment career in public health, punctuated by high profile positions, including that with Island Health, was eviscerated, and I was discarded like garbage for refusing to take an injection which people with anaphylaxis were advised to not take.

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Nevertheless, I proceeded and the appointment was scheduled for March 7, 2022 - the day I was fired. Island Health could not be convinced to stay the termination. The allergist, Dr. Barlass, indicated that based on my anaphylactic condition, I must be tested for a life threatening allergy prior to taking the C19 experimental medical treatment. Check out the video I shot in my boat the evening of March 7, 2022 -- the day I was terminated. It is raw, authentic, unedited, unpolished. Just as I shot it. Me, a beer, my cat and my emotions. Please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OchsgWi4lTA to watch.

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In February 2024, just shy of the two year statute of limitations I personally filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of British Columbia. ​​
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I raised a legal fund through the generous support of many comrades, in the amount of $2,500.

Over the course of multiple paid consultations with numerous lawyers, and a mediator, I ran this fund dry. The original lawsuit sought a remedy in the amount of $82,000. Prior to speaking with lawyers, I estimated the damages to my career and mental health combined equalled 1.7 million dollars. The estimated initial cost of completing the lawsuit was less than $20,000, and lawyers optimistically believed that the matter would be settled out of court, given how egregiously the employer acted. Over the coming months I experienced this prognosis shifting dramatically. In the end the lawyers estimated the stonewalling and stalling by Island Health lawyers would cost me over $100,000 in legal fees, and realistically see an award of less than $20,000, if anything. Additionally I was informed that if I lost I would likely be held responsible for the legal fees of Island Health, which could be upwards of $100,000. This is the legal reality of wrongful dismissal healthcare vaccine mandate cases in British Columbia. People with or without resources cannot get justice. I will note that during the process I was introduced to the United Healthcare Workers of BC, through a lawyer Umar Sheikh who is representing thousands of fired workers in a class action lawsuit. I was given the gift of being able to join this lawsuit. There is hope for justice, but the pay out is not guaranteed especially considering the way the PHO has dug in.

 

During the process I sought legal support from every legal aid resource the province offered. I eventually spoke to half a dozen lawyers interested in the case - all unable to take it because the cost of trying it was so high, and the likelihood of a win was so low. In the end I even appealed to the Attorney General of British Columbia, to pay for a lawyer because of the threat posed to human rights in British Columbia. This is the appeal I made to the Attorney General Niki Sharma: 

 

Dear Honourable Niki Sharma, 

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I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to you as the most senior person in BC responsible for addressing human rights violations, and for the provision of legal aid. I was terminated from a cherished 20 year career in public health, as a result of unscientific mandates. I believe that an injustice has occurred and my human rights have been violated. Since being terminated, I’ve been unable to secure employment in my chosen field, because of the same mandates.

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I was terminated from my position as an Injury/Violence Prevention Education Consultant by Island Health in March 2022. This was a permanent, non-union, non-contract position. My termination was due to the systems’ failure to take seriously my doctors' advice against taking the COVID-19 vaccines because of a suspected Anaphylactic allergy to Poly Ethylene Glycol. The medical system was unable to schedule an appointment with an allergist within the 14-day window required by the PHO, to verify this allergy; it took twice the allotted time and my medical exemption was declined. Ironically, I was terminated on the same day the intake appointment occurred. The allergist strongly recommended I undergo testing BEFORE taking the vaccine. Island Health would not yield in terminating me and did not even offer the baseline severance package.

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My public health career spans 20 years, including HIV/AIDS prevention work in Africa, and taking every vaccination recommended, including the H1N1 vaccine while teaching in an Indigenous community on Vancouver Island during the outbreak. In 2019, I updated my vaccinations at Island Health’s request. Then in 2020 I was diagnosed with Anaphylaxis.

Efforts to secure a just settlement, thus far, have failed. Furthermore, I have been unable to secure legal representation, despite canvassing every legal aid option listed in the province, and speaking with countless different lawyers. This is especially troubling, as Anaphylaxis is recognized as a disability, and individuals with disabilities and or health conditions should not, according to the Nuremberg Code, be compelled to undergo medical treatments that could endanger their lives, just to maintain their employment.

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My specific request of you is to provide the financial assistance necessary for me to secure a lawyer so that this case may be justly adjudicated.

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Thank you for your time and consideration.

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Kevin Vowles

 

In addition to this appeal, I crafted a final letter to the Island Health lawyers appealing for a settlement. 

 

Dear Ms. Orr,

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Thank you for your recent correspondence. 

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It seems we both agree on the importance of resolving this matter without going to trial. Despite my efforts, I have been unable to secure legal representation willing to take my case against a well-funded and determined adversary. The current legal climate, as illustrated by the CCESM case, appears resistant to acknowledging the reality of such disputes. I filed for mediation hoping we could arrive at a result that both parties could feel good about.

Your straightforward communication regarding your client’s position has provided valuable clarity. Understanding that their preferred outcome benefits them almost exclusively allows us to expedite this process. I appreciate your candor about your client’s wishes, and in turn, I will be equally direct about mine.

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I am prepared to sign a confidentiality agreement and a notice of discontinuance and to accept a settlement of $82,087.78. This figure accounts for the complete destruction of my public health career, lost income, mental health damages, and legal fees. While this amount does not fully represent the actual damages, which I initially estimated at $1.7 million, it reflects my understanding of likely achievable compensation. Furthermore, it does little to address the reality that mandates requiring vaccination remain in place, in BC, preventing persons with health conditions classified a disability, like mine, from securing work in our chosen profession. This option provides your client with confidentiality limited to the details of this case. I have already publicly disclosed my termination in Pandemic Papers (August 2022: Edition #5). My silence applies only to the details and outcome of this case.

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If this proposal is declined and I sign a notice of discontinuance with no monetary compensation or additional agreements:

1. This will leave your client in a situation where they are free to pursue legal fees against me, a homeless and unemployed individual with multiple disabilities. 

2. I will ensure that the public becomes more fully aware of your client’s actions in my termination and this case, exemplifying their egregious behaviour and lack of compassion. This narrative underscores the stark discrepancy between their stated C.A.R.E. values, and actual behavior. Despite my dedication and passion for injury prevention, I was terminated over a policy that could have resulted in serious injury and harm, or possibly even death. I am prepared to expose your client’s actions publicly, demonstrating their disregard for ethical conduct.

3. I plan to extensively document and publicize my experience through various avenues in Canada and abroad, including a blog, X, social and mainstream media, and videos. My background as a public speaker and my numerous connections with grassroots organizations ensure that this story will receive significant attention. I will highlight the discrimination I faced as a person with disabilities and the mental anguish I have endured, including documented suicidal thoughts due to my unjust termination over a policy that even leading health authorities have begun to question.

4. Additionally, I will expose internal contradictions and specific instances of mismanagement within the organization, such as the termination video where Janice Rotinsky admits to enforcing policies despite knowing that the shots do not prevent transmission, and that she is merely following orders. Additionally, I “worked from home”. This will create a compelling narrative of institutional failure and public health missteps.

5. I plan to publish a book as soon as possible detailing my experience and featuring testimonies from others affected by this policy, including a colleague who held a senior position in government), who opposed the mandates at considerable personal cost.

6. The story of my termination—especially given my medical conditions and the circumstances around my firing—will be a poignant narrative in the court of international public opinion.

 

In closing, I urge your client to carefully consider the proposed resolutions. I am very much prepared to further take this public, if necessary. I do hope we can reach a satisfactory agreement without further escalation.

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Best regards,

Kevin James Vowles

 

This letter was met with indifference and clear callousness, mirroring the entire vaccine mandate experience. Island Health tried to pressure me to sign an NDA in exchange for abandoning the pursuit of their legal fees. I refused to sign any such agreement, and with deep anger and frustration I abandoned the lawsuit in October 2024. Island Health did not pursue legal fee recovery.

 

Currently I am enrolled in a class action lawsuit through the United Healthcare Workers of British Columbia. More info on this is available here: https://unitedtogether.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Blacklined-Notice-of-Civil-Claim.pdf

 

You can donate to the class action lawsuit by clicking here: https://unitedtogether.ca/donate/

 

Additionally I have a pending case which may go before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal. For a long time I thought my public health career was over. It is not.

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I began my public health care by doing HIV/AIDS prevention work in Botswana. I spent two years working with a small community based organization. During this time we accomplished many things including a condom distribution program and procurement of a large grant to expand prevention work. During this visit to Africa I blindly accepted all vaccine recommendations. While working with the Ditidaht First Nation as a teacher I took the H1N1 vaccine. I came in receive vaccine updates at Island Health in 2019. Following each set of vaccinations I developed immune compromising conditions - asthma, severe allergies, and finally anaphylaxis - respectively. I no longer blindly accept what health authorities tell me is good for me. ​I follow the science.

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Do you have a story about being terminated for failing to take the shots?

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Do you have a story about vaccine injury or death?

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Please reach out to kevinjvowles@gmail.com

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