WARNING: This story contains details some may find offensive.
A video of a man hurling racist insults towards a Sikh security guard outside of a Kelowna COVID-19 vaccine clinic earlier this week has garnered the attention of B.C. Premier John Horgan.
Video taken by Infotel on Tuesday (July 13) shows the man sa国际传媒� who has been identified as Bruce Orydzuk, a well-known protestor in the community sa国际传媒� with 10 others protesting outside of the Trinity Church COVID-19 immunization clinic. Orydzuk is seen carrying a sign that reads: sa国际传媒淵ou are about to take part in a medical experiment with uninformed consequences, do you have informed consent on injury and death numbers?sa国际传媒�
Video taken by the protesters, posted on an online video forum, shows a security guard asking the group to move along. Thatsa国际传媒檚 when the Orydzuksa国际传媒檚 goes on his tirade, repeatedly telling the guard that sa国际传媒渉e is not a Canadiansa国际传媒� and to sa国际传媒済o back to your country.sa国际传媒�
The security guard can be heard telling Orydzuk that he is in Canada on a work permit and that he is not going back.
On Twitter, Premier Horgan described Orydzuksa国际传媒檚 behaviour as vile and racist.
This is vile, racist behaviour. If this is how you treat people, you are the problem.
sa国际传媒� John Horgan (@jjhorgan)
Racism is a scourge and we must stand together against it to build a better province.
sa国际传媒淚f this is how you treat people, you are the problem. Racism is a scourge and we must stand together against it to build a better province,sa国际传媒� said Horgan.
Similarly, Kelowna city councillor Mohini Singh described the video on Wednesday as sa国际传媒渉orrible, horrible, horrible.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒渟a国际传媒hen will this end? The security guard was just doing his job,sa国际传媒� Singh .
Singh told Capital News that she is sa国际传媒渧ery angry, frustrated and disappointed.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淭his does not reflect Kelowna. This is not who we are. Wesa国际传媒檙e an inclusive community,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淭his is not who we are and this does not reflect our spirit. This kind of behaviour is intolerable. Itsa国际传媒檚 not necessary.sa国际传媒�
She described Orydzuksa国际传媒檚 comments as sa国际传媒渃omplete hatred.sa国际传媒�
sa国际传媒淔rankly, I think this is absolute hate speech,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淚f there is anything within the criminal code, I do believe charges have to be laid.sa国际传媒�
On the other hand, she commended the security guard for his professionalism and his courage.
sa国际传媒淚 was very proud of the young man who held his ground. He was polite. He had a job to do. He was courteous,sa国际传媒� she said.
She added that she wants to give him a big hug.
sa国际传媒淚 just to tell him that wesa国际传媒檙e all with him,sa国际传媒� she said.
Interior Health described the incident as disappointing.
sa国际传媒淸Itsa国际传媒檚] completely unacceptable that one of our security staff was disrespected based on their race. We strive to create communities that are accepting of all people, regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation,sa国际传媒� said IH. sa国际传媒淒uring these ongoing challenging times it is more important than ever to be kind and respectful to each other.sa国际传媒�
Kelowna RCMP confirmed that they are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the incident.
sa国际传媒淲e are now investigating this incident through the lens of the willful promotion of hatred under Section 319 of the Criminal Code,sa国际传媒� said Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy.
sa国际传媒淩acism has no place in our community, and I want to reassure the public that this matter is being given the full attention of our General Investigative Support Team in consultation with the Provincial Hate Crimes Unit.sa国际传媒�
READ MORE: Kelowna council approves plan to look into new beach park at Watt Road
aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .
