Calgary Tory MP Michelle Rempel Garner says it appears the federal government has broken another promise to Canadians..Evidence suggests that sexual assaults occurred at quarantine hotels when the feds promised to protect the people who were staying in the hotels, she said.."The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is aware of two sexual assault complaints filed by travellers while abiding by the government’s hotel quarantine measures since March 1, 2020," PHAC stated..The response was provided to Garner after a request.."This week, in response to an Order Paper Question I filed, the government revealed that a second sexual assault against a traveller allegedly occurred at a government quarantine hotel nearly three months later, in May 2021," Garner said..The response revealed that in February 2021, an individual was charged by local police with sexual assault, break and enter, and harassment at the Sheraton Montreal Designated Quarantine Facility (DQF). The victim was a quarantined traveller..In May 2021, a hotel employee within the housekeeping department at a Toronto Government Authorized Accommodation (GAA) was arrested and received one charge of sexual assault..The victim was a traveller staying at the hotel.."The hotel is no longer using the services of this employee," the response read..The response also noted are no sexual assault, physical assault or harassment complaints were filed against quarantine screening and enforcement officers concerning travellers who have stayed at a DQF or GAA.."The federal government has not made any payments related to legal or settlement fees related to harassment or assaults related to government quarantine measures," the response said.."There have been no complaints filed related to quarantine officers inappropriately demanding cash payments from those under restrictions.".Rempel Garner said the Toronto incident has never been reported in any mainstream media outlet.."Regardless, the May 2021 incident came three months after (Liberal Health Minister Patty) Hadju had assured the House of Commons that she had taken action to prevent future assaults.".Rempel Garner said given that the person arrested was a housekeeping employee of the hotel, this raises questions about how employees interacting with people legally unable to leave their rooms were vetted and the overall efficacy (or existence) of policies designed to prevent sexual assault..According to the response, "To ensure the health and safety of all personnel and travellers, contracts were established to provide security services 24 hours per day, 7 days a week at the DQFs. Security service providers were required to have a reliability security clearance or equivalent."."In addition, all personnel were required to complete mandatory specialized training to support the provision of quarantine services," PHAC stated.."The enhanced training provided them with skills, including how to de-escalate critical situations, improved communication between travellers and hotel personnel, as well as the capacity to respond to the needs of diverse populations.".Rempel Garner said the Toronto assault also allegedly occurred around the same time the federal government’s COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel recommended ending the hotel quarantine program.."Keep in mind the government would likely have received the Panel’s report well before its release to the public," Rempel Garner said.."This report came months after government officials appeared before the federal Standing Committee on Health and could not provide any data to show that the quarantine hotel program prevented the spread of COVID-19 from returning travellers any better than someone quarantining in their own home.".Rempel Garner said the federal government did not end the hotel quarantine program until August 2021.."Again, months after the arrest of a hotel employee in yet another alleged incident of sexual assault," Rempel Garner said.."All these points raise questions about how Hadju, the minister in charge of the program, still has a seat in the cabinet.".Garner claims the federal government knew it had a problem.."Although many people in Canada are weary of discussing anything related to the pandemic, a sexual assault allegedly occurring against a traveller who likely had a duty of care owed by the federal government warrants attention - particularly since it occurred after the government knew it had a problem," Garner said.."If you agree, I encourage you to write to the current Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, to suggest the same."
