A landlord on the North Shore says a wellness clinic that opened in his building was sub-leased by a tenant without his knowledge, and the operator says they will need a new space as of tomorrow.
Ezra Wellness opened a week ago at 552 Tranquille Road, led by Glenn Aalderink, one of a team of nurses who started the clinic on a volunteer basis when unvaccinated healthcare workers were put on unpaid leave.
Aalderink told NL News last week that the plan is to eventually bring in a fee for clients accessing their medical and wellness advice.
Today, the building’s owner, well-known local realtor Brendan Shaw, says a long-term tenant at the address sub-leased the space to Ezra Wellness without his knowledge.
“We were not consulted in advance by our tenant regarding the use of this space, so I immediately had a conversation with our tenant because we have a no sub-lease clause in place and this is not an allowable options,” Shaw said in a statement.
“With each of our commercial tenants, we have a process we follow to vet and approve all tenants. Part of that due diligence process is to ensure all tenants are able to meet the legal, financial and insurance covenants on the commercial space. Without having gone through this process, and because we have a no sub-lease clause in place, we cannot reasonably give approval on a lease.”
Speaking with NL News Tuesday, Aalderink says he respects the landlord’s decision.
“Obviously, they have an issue, so I’m just going to pivot a bit and find a new location, and we’ll move on from there,” he said.
“It is needed, because our healthcare system is really overwhelmed. And I’m just hoping we can find somebody who is willing to see beyond the rhetoric, and move ahead with something that is, literally, trying to help our community.”
Aalderink also says he has been approached by people who have suggested protesting the eviction outside of the Tranquille Road location, but he tells NL News he does not support that idea.
“That’s not what I’m trying to do here, I don’t want to get into negative mud-slinging,” Aalderink said.
Concerns about misinformation from clinics like Ezra Wellness: BCCNM
In a statement to NL News this week, the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives said it has concerns about misinformation that could come from clinics like Ezra Wellness, which may jeopardize the safety of patients and the public.
“This includes sharing of misinformation that is anti-vaccine, anti-mask wearing, anti-physical distancing or that otherwise undermines public health orders and guidance,” spokesperson Johanna Ward said. “We also have concerns about regulated health professionals promoting or sharing information about COVID-19 treatments that are not supported by widely accepted scientific evidence.”
“While nurses are free to voice their own opinions in a lawful manner, they are not entitled to use their protected title to spread misinformation. BCCNM can and will take action against registrants whose use of title could bring the profession of nursing or midwifery into disrepute.”
Ward also said nurses may own and operate their own clinics that follow bylaws, standards of practice and work within their scope of practice, when it comes to Ezra Wellness she said, “the conduct of the nurses at this ‘clinic’, however, appears to contravene the public message to registrants regarding PHO orders, vaccinations, and use of title and may lead to investigation.”
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said last week that practicing nurses still need to be licensed by their professional college.
“We made it clear when me made the mandatory vaccination announcement for health care that we would also be engaging and, indeed, instructing the colleges – for example, the College of Physicians and Surgeons , the nursing college, the pharmacists’ college, the dental college, and so on – that, as a condition of license, people would have to be vaccinated,” he said.
Aalderink organized a large-scale protest outside of Royal Inland Hospital on Sept. 1, which drew hundreds of people from across the Interior who were opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for workplaces and businesses.
– With files from Victor Kaisar
All is not well with Ezra Wellness in #Kamloops, the clinic on Tranquille Road that was operated by unvaccinated nurses who were put on unpaid leave last week.
The owners of the building say the space was sub-leased without their knowledge or permission. pic.twitter.com/DbCFlVXhhT
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) November 2, 2021