Few issues have divided Christians as decisively in recent years as the Covid-19 vaccines. Were the vaccines ethically made? Were they effective? Should they have been mandated? And did they, or will they, have side-effects that are being covered up? The controversies surrounding the vaccines, and the way it was handled by governments, divided churches and families, leaving a trail of hurt that is still felt today. That may explain in part why there have been very few public investigations and reviews by government agencies or professional bodies in the years following.
In an effort to change this, the Allison Inquiry was formed and held hearings from September 8-11 in a Parliamentary committee room in Ottawa. The Allison Inquiry isn’t an official parliamentary committee. It was privately organized, but chaired by MP Dean Allison, who represents the federal riding of Niagara West, home to many Reformed Christians. He wanted to give an opportunity for Canadians to have a “neutral forum” to share their stories of injury or death resulting from Covid-19 vaccines.
Over 28 Million Canadians received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, though that number doesn’t include data from Alberta. Over 1,400 people applied to come to the inquiry. Of these, the Toronto Sun reported that 50 witnesses shared their testimonies.
MP Arnold Viersen, who was present at the inquiry, also shared a public tribute to a friend of his, Scott Gorry. Scott worked on Parliament Hill, took the Covid vaccine, and then suffered a heart attack, resulting in permanent damage to his heart. His injury was recognized by the Vaccine Injury Support Program from the federal government. But as Viersen noted in his tribute, Scott died this summer and “no amount of money could compensate…the tragic loss to his family.”
Most of the mainstream media ignored the Inquiry, even though it was held in the same building where the press gallery has offices, and within a couple hundred meters of the CBC offices. When this was pointed out by Joe Warmington from the Toronto Sun, journalist Andrew Coyne said there were two possibilities: “Possibility 1. This is a serious and significant inquiry and every single reporter in Ottawa is conspiring to cover it up. Possibility 2. This is obvious horseshit.” In many ways, the coverage of the inquiry reflects the coverage of Covid-19 more generally: fear, name-calling, mud-slinging, and ignoring. Although Christians too would love to move on from this dark chapter, it is important that we seek and love the truth. This includes listening to witnesses, when possible. But it also includes being careful to avoid slander and being a false witness, or spreading information without verifying it, simply because it aligns with our opinions.