Myriam Bohémier
0:04 Bonjour, Madame Lavoie. 0:06 Good morning, Ms. Lavoie. 0:09 Could you lift your right hand? 0:13 Do you solemnly affirm that you're going to say the truth, only the truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
0:25 I do. Myriam Bohémier
0:28 Perfect. 0:30 So, Madame Lavoie, you are 68. 0:37 You were a nurse and you were working in a research lab and you retired in 2015. 0:48 At the time you took your vaccine, you were a driving instructor. 1:00 So you were working four times a week. 1:02 You're married. 1:03 You have two daughters. 1:06 And you have three grandchildren. 1:10 You told me that before your vaccination, you never had COVID. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
1:15 No, I never had it. Myriam Bohémier
1:17 And how was your health? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
1:19 I was in good health. 1:21 I was not taking any medication and I was practicing some activities. Myriam Bohémier
1:26 You told me about the activities that you were doing before you took your vaccine. 1:32 You were very active. 1:33 What kind of activities did you do? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
1:36 I was walking a lot. 1:38 I loved to dance. Myriam Bohémier
1:45 And you traveled a lot as well. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
1:46 Yes, indeed. Myriam Bohémier
1:51 You would go on hikes. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
1:54 Yes, I would go with my youngest daughter. 1:58 Yes. Myriam Bohémier
2:01 So you took two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. 2:05 On October 1st and 29th, 2021. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
2:10 That's right. Myriam Bohémier
2:11 And why did you get vaccinated? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
2:16 Well, first, because of social pressure to have my freedom of traveling as well. 2:24 Because in September of 2021, Quebec imposed the vaccine passport. 2:35 Yes, that's what I would call the freedom passport. Myriam Bohémier
2:43 Why did you get vaccinated? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
2:46 Well, because of that, first of all. 2:51 But also because I've been told that it was efficient and it was a way to protect our children and grandchildren. 2:58 And also I couldn't work without getting vaccinated. Myriam Bohémier
3:03 Were you in the car with someone next to you? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
3:08 Yes, because you were doing it as a driving instructor, that's why. 3:14 Indeed. Myriam Bohémier
3:17 So how did your symptoms start after you took the vaccines? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
3:24 I can tell you that right before I took the second dose, I realized that I was fatigued and it wasn't normal. 3:34 I went hiking with my daughter, and on our way back, I was feeling tired, and usually I didn't feel tired. 3:43 I was out of breath. 3:48 And at some point, it went downhill, and I thought it was maybe because of work. Myriam Bohémier
3:54 Should I take some time off? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
3:59 That's what was happening at that time. Myriam Bohémier
4:03 And you had trouble sleeping as well, breathing? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
4:08 Yes, it started when I went on vacation. 4:12 I took some time off. 4:15 And then I realized that some nights I would wake up out of breath. 4:21 I would cough. 4:24 And at some point I went to a doctor because I was wondering what was happening to me. Myriam Bohémier
4:28 At what time was that? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
4:32 It was in January, January 2022. 4:43 In January, I went to see a doctor and he told me that it was bronchitis. 4:49 And that I needed three to four weeks for it to heal. 4:52 And at that time, you were in Florida. Myriam Bohémier
4:55 So you went to a U.S. clinic. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
4:59 Indeed. 5:02 After that, it only went downhill. 5:04 I would have to sleep sitting. 5:09 And I didn't understand what to do. Myriam Bohémier
5:11 Why would you sleep sitting? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
5:13 Because I couldn't breathe. 5:15 I would be coughing. 5:18 And I told my husband, we need to do something. 5:21 I couldn't take my walks anymore. Myriam Bohémier
5:25 So you couldn't go from the hotel to your car? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
5:29 Yes, that's the case. 5:36 So I decided to go see the doctor. 5:40 And I went back to the nurse at the clinic. 5:43 And after checking my lungs, she told me to go to the hospital. 5:49 From there, I was in shock because I was wondering what was happening to me. 5:54 So that was your second appointment after you've been told that you had bronchitis. Myriam Bohémier
6:00 You had a second appointment and you've been told to go to the hospital. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
6:05 Exactly. 6:06 I went to the ER. 6:14 Then I've been told that I had fluids in my lungs and I had a 10% injection fraction in my heart. 6:32 And then I started being afraid of dying. 6:40 I was in good health before that. 6:44 The nurse told me, listen, ma'am, we think that you're suffering from a condition that's linked to the COVID-19 vaccine because we have a young man here who has the same condition as you. 7:02 But I'm not 18. 7:04 And then they started to look for treatments. Myriam Bohémier
7:10 And how did you react to that news? 7:14 Well, I was thinking, how come is that possible? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
7:18 Pfizer is supposed to be efficient. 7:21 It's a renowned pharmaceutical company. 7:27 So I couldn't fathom it. 7:33 So then they told me that they were going to give me some medicine. 7:39 and told me about the side effects and I started using it. Myriam Bohémier
7:48 So you've been hospitalized for four days to take out the fluids that were in your lungs? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
7:56 Exactly. 8:00 And after that, I stayed two weeks for them to be able to adjust 8:04 the medication before I came back to Canada. 8:07 And when I came back to Canada, I went to a cardiologist in Sherbrooke who told me the same thing. Myriam Bohémier
8:16 The cardiologist told you that it was because of the vaccine as well? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
8:22 Yes, there was a young man there and he was waiting for a heart transplant. 8:30 And I was feeling lucky that 8:33 I was still alive, even though my heart was working at 10%. 8:40 And that's how it went. 8:43 And I started doing research and getting answers. 8:48 I also understand that you saw an immunologist who filled medical reports, not only for you to be able to get on the VIAP program for Quebec, 9:04 but also that doctor filed a report for Pfizer for your side effects to be reported to Pfizer. Myriam Bohémier
9:16 Let's start talking about the vaccination program. 9:21 It's in 2022 that you started getting, that you submitted your application for the program. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
9:30 Yes, in October. 9:32 And to answer your question, 9:37 It's on September 8, 2025, that they've informed me that they're starting to study my case. 9:50 After that, last August, I received an email saying that I would have a hearing this coming October. 9:58 So it took four years, four years before you had the chance to be heard for your case. 10:07 vaccine injury. Myriam Bohémier
10:14 Let's go through Pfizer's answer that you received following your doctor's report that was sent to Pfizer. 10:28 I won't read the entire thing, but I think it's important that we hear certain excerpts. 10:32 Pfizer tells you we're sorry to hear of your difficulties. 10:37 following vaccination. 10:44 They want to mention an option that could be available to you. 10:50 It's interesting that Pfizer says, Health Canada examined the innocuousness and the safety of the vaccine countless times. 10:59 In 2020, Health Canada issued a report 11:08 vaccine approval for this vaccine for people 16 plus, really in the case of the pandemic, the COVID pandemic. 11:24 It then allowed approval, it then approved the vaccine for 12 to 16 years old. 11:31 And then a full approval for 12 plus 11:35 November 9, 2021, Health Canada approved the use of the vaccine for follow-up doses age 12 plus after a first dose six months previous. 11:53 And then the 5 to 11-year-olds received approval for the vaccine. 11:58 In 2022, Health Canada authorized the use of the vaccine 12:02 for booster shots for 12 to 15 years old. 12:07 And in 2022, Health Canada authorized booster shots for 16 to 17 year olds. 12:17 In 2022, Health Canada authorized the use of vaccine for booster shots for 11 to 15. 12:25 In 2022, Health Canada authorized vaccine use for 12:31 six months to five-year-olds. 12:34 Also in 2022, Health Canada authorized bivalent booster shots for 15 years plus. 12:47 And then it subsequently approved the bivalent booster shots for 15 plus. 12:56 Health Canada 12:58 carried out an in-depth examination of preclinical and clinical information, as well as information on the manufacturing process to ensure the quality of the vaccine. 13:11 Following an examination of the available information, Health Canada decided that the available evidence allowed it to approve the vaccine based on knowledge of the risks. 13:32 Tens of millions of doses were used in Canada and elsewhere. 13:36 Pfizer has full confidence in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine based on this evidence. 13:51 In a case where you are seeking compensation for the vaccination, Pfizer does not believe that your case is valid. 14:01 It notes that Quebec has a program of vaccine assistance. 14:08 Pfizer takes seriously requests such as yours and the information that you provided. 14:19 It will help us with our global understanding of vaccines and our vigilance in regard to vaccine. 14:26 Pfizer is unable to provide the answer you were seeking, but we are sensitive to your situation. 14:36 This Pfizer letter is available in the evidence. 14:39 So ultimately Pfizer is just relying on Health Canada. 14:45 It's turning towards Health Canada to wash its hands of its own responsibility. 14:51 The FD720 cat is what I received. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
15:03 I am sitting on a bomb right now. 15:05 I don't know how my body is going to react. 15:09 And I really have had my life taken from me. 15:19 I understand that you had to have a pacemaker installed. 15:24 I have a pacemaker, a defibrillator. 15:30 That has caused problems as well. 15:34 I've had thrombosis in the arm twice, serious bleeding, and I still have trouble with my arm. 15:41 I can't use it properly. 15:45 I'm relying on my partner to help me. Myriam Bohémier
15:51 You also take anticoagulants constantly. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
15:54 That's right. 15:55 I'll be taking them for life. 16:00 I'm still worried about 16:03 hurting myself somehow and bleeding, bleeding to death. 16:10 There are arrhythmias. 16:12 I don't think that my pacemaker could deal with it. 16:16 I'll have to add drugs in that case, which I probably won't be able to withstand. 16:22 So truly things are not rosy. Myriam Bohémier
16:28 You also mentioned that you retired. 16:33 Because you wanted to travel. 16:35 And what of your plans today? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
16:42 I've given up on it. 16:44 I can't be far away. 16:45 I need treatment. 16:48 If ever I'm far away and I need treatment, well, that's inconceivable. 16:56 And this is what I think about. Myriam Bohémier
17:01 What's been the worst for you through all this process? Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
17:08 First of all, we were lied to. 17:12 I'm still trying to get the truth like many of us here. 17:17 I hope that we'll receive it one day. 17:21 But I am a shadow of myself. 17:24 I used to be full of energy, ready for anything. 17:31 Now I can't work standing up for too long. 17:34 I have to sit down. 17:36 Otherwise, I'll go completely nuts. Myriam Bohémier
17:41 You had to reduce your work hours to 15 hours a week. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
17:44 That's right. 17:45 I can't do more than five hours a day because I just become exhausted. 17:51 I have no energy. 17:53 If I do too much in a day, which is something I still try to do, then I pay for it the next day. 17:59 Absolutely. 18:00 Absolutely. 18:03 So my life is very limited. Myriam Bohémier
18:06 You told me that you have gone from being autonomous, independent to someone who relies on their partner for daily errands and tasks, for driving, to be able to carry out activities. 18:25 And every single day you have to gauge how much energy you have before undertaking something. 18:33 A lot of the problem is the anxiety. Lisa Lavoie, translated by Myriam Bohémier
18:36 I don't want to take antidepressants. 18:38 I know how they can affect us. 18:42 But I'm dealing with all that as well at the same time. 18:46 I'll let the MPs comment or question. MP Dean Allison
18:53 Thank you. 18:55 And we appreciate your journey too. Lisa Lavoie
18:59 Thanks to you. MP Dean Allison
19:01 And so I just wanted to know, how does this affect the family in terms of your immediate family or maybe even extended? Lisa Lavoie
19:12 It does because I lost a brother for pancreas cancer during the COVID. 19:21 One of my daughters had cervical cancer. 19:24 She's okay, but she had to have a hysterectomy. 19:28 So 19:30 It frightens me. 19:30 My mother doesn't do well. 19:33 She has heart problems too. 19:36 And I'm afraid from the long term because this is a poison in us. 19:45 So we don't know what's going to happen in the future. 19:51 It doesn't go away. 19:52 It's in us. 19:54 So my husband is okay. 19:58 He's a great help. 20:01 Thank God I have them. 20:04 And my children are probably listening to me today. 20:09 And they are my sunshines. MP Dean Allison
20:20 I want to say thank you very much for taking the time to be here and sharing your experiences. 20:25 We really appreciate it. Lisa Lavoie
20:26 Thank you very much.