Ottawa doctor pleads for help from the Prime Minister after death threat

OTTAWA – An Ottawa doctor who organized mass vaccination clinics earlier this year is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do more to protect health care workers after she received a death threat.

Doctor Nili Kaplan-Myrth's "jabapalooza" vaccine clinics got a lot of attention in the city last spring but she says after receiving the threatening letter she won't be holding similar clinics when vaccines are approved for children.

The threat against her was made in a letter sent to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario which Kaplan-Myrth passed on to the Ottawa Police Service.

A police spokesperson confirms the service received the complaint but because the threat is targeted at one person it does not pose a risk to the safety of the broader community.

Kaplan-Myrth says she is afraid to walk outside of her office as a result of the threat, and she is appealing to Trudeau because she has not received support from the provincial government.

Canadian Medical Association President Dr. Katharine Smart says widespread threats against health professionals are unacceptable and that the lack of mechanisms to ensure their safety is a "serious gap" in the health system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11, 2021.