‘Freedom Convoy’ forced kids’ chemo delays, rescheduling for 13 families: CHEO

The convoy protests entirely blocked some downtown Ottawa streets with trucks, vehicles, and other infrastructure — including a bouncy castle and a hot tub

Thirteen families with children fighting cancer had their chemotherapy appointments either delayed or rescheduled as a direct result of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests in Ottawa, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) has confirmed to Global News.

The demonstrations clogged the streets of downtown Ottawa for three weeks in late January and February of this year, rendering some residential areas and main streets throughout the city core impassable.

“We had 13 families whose travel to CHEO for cancer therapy at our Medical Day Unit was significantly impacted by the convoy that occupied downtown Ottawa last winter,” a spokesperson for CHEO told Global News in a statement.

“Their care was either delayed or had to be rescheduled.”

While CHEO “made sure” the families knew CHEO was there “to provide their care,” the spokesperson said the protests made an already difficult situation worse.

“This situation layered unnecessary stress on top of what is already such a stressful situation for kids and their families as they work to overcome very serious conditions and whose treatments are critical for their best outcomes,” the spokesperson said.

The children’s hospital said they “thankfully” did not have to cancel any surgeries during the demonstrations, but families were also forced to take extra measures “including staying at a hotel to ensure they could be here on time,” they said.

The convoy protests entirely blocked some downtown Ottawa streets with trucks, vehicles, and other infrastructure — including a bouncy castle and a hot tub.