Without tipping his hat as to whether government will actually do it, B.C.’s Health Minister says the idea of creating so-called protest “bubble zones” around hospitals has some merit.

Speaking on the NL Morning News, Adrian Dix, was asked if the province should seek a court injunction to prevent protesters from impeding access or harassing hospital staff, emergency responders, and patients.

“It is not the place to hold a demonstration and the first thing I’d say to the people who held the demonstration is don’t do it. Don’t do it there,” he said. “People do have the right to protest in this country but that right comes with responsibility.”

In the early 90’s, faced with harassment, protests and violence, a court injunction created a bubble zone around women’s health clinics that provided abortion services. It was backed by the courts and later enshrined in law.

“That is something to consider,” Dix added. “With respect to women’s health you recall that came in in 1993 and 1994 and was supported in the courts, that came after a series of harassing demonstration and then a law was passed, and it takes awhile to pass a law. But those are issues absolutely to look at.”

When asked about possibly taking legal action against the people who slowed down ambulances and people seeking treatment, Dix was non-committal, during a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

“This isn’t the right place to be engaging in these protests and interfering with people needing health care and interfering with people providing health care is not acceptable,” he said. “As for the rest, we want to make sure that people are treated with respect and support in our community and we’ll keep doing that, but I can’t comment on anything beyond that.”

“Those [legal] actions will be taken, if appropriate under specific circumstances I think. It’s not for me to say. What it is for me to say is these protests shouldn’t happen in hospitals and that the best response is for as many people as possible to get vaccinated.”

Some of the anti-vaccine passport protests this week saw the harassment of staff, notably in Vancouver, where ambulances were delayed at West 12th Avenue and Cambie St, not far from Vancouver General Hospital.

On Vancouver Island, health workers were verbally abused as they went to work, and at least one was physically assaulted. In Kamloops meanwhile, RCMP say one person was arrested for assault with a weapon after they threw eggs at protestors.

No charges have been laid and this person has since been released from custody with a court date pending.

Inside Royal Inland Hospital, 12 of 17 ICU beds are being occupied by COVID patients, in what is the worst influx “by far” as Dr. Eric Haywood-Farmer described it.

– With files from Victor Kaisar

It’s time for a court injunction to create bubble zones around hospitals. Nobody should be able to harass, intimidate, assault or impede healthcare workers or those seeking treatment. This was an embarrassment. #Kamloops #vancouver #bcpoli

— Brett Mineer (@MineerBrett) September 2, 2021