In documents posted on the online portal where the provincial government publishes material related to freedom of information requests, correspondence between the staff of Dr. Bonnie Henry and organizers of a fundraiser at the BC Women’s Hospital describe the demands on the Mounties accompanying her to the event in April. Organizers agreed to “two discreet positions needed near Dr. Henry for her safety in the RCMP” at the fundraising luncheon after speaking with her executive coordinator, according to the documents. A Richmond-based RCMP officer, whose name and title were redacted, responded that “being at a nearby table and facing the public would be fine … we actually prefer that set-up as it’s our job to we’re looking for/monitoring threats . . . and not looking at VIP’.
HISTORY OF THREATS
While many health care workers have faced abuse and appalling behavior during the pandemic, Henry has arguably borne the brunt of public anger as the author of BC’s public health measures. In September 2020, she revealed that she had faced threats to her life and had to have security in her home as a result. Months later, Vancouver police launched an investigation after conspiracy theorists thought to “hang her by the nooses” in videos posted online. The provincial government eventually legislated “bubble zones” around hospitals, testing sites and other locations targeted by anti-vaxxers, but such protections would do little to help Henry, who attended various events during the pandemic. Her press conferences have become rare. Henry’s last briefing and press availability was in September.
PURPOSE OF THE EVENT
The Illuminations Luncheon was originally scheduled for February, but in the first week of January it was moved to April 7th. at the time, surging demand had overwhelmed the provincial testing system for COVID-19, and soaring positive tests suggested infections were raging almost everywhere. Henry enthusiastically agreed to keynote the event, noting that it was “something close to (her) heart. The rally ultimately raised nearly half a million dollars for women’s health research. When organizers asked if it was appropriate to offer Henry a thank-you gift for her speech, her public relations specialist Nicola Lambrechts replied that “a donation to an Indigenous women’s organization would be appreciated.”
