Sent to York Region senior management and reprinted with permission from Ottawa Healthcare Professionals for Palestine (OHCP4P).

Sent to <chris.spearen@york.ca>, <eric.jolliffe@york.ca>, <erin.mahoney@york.ca>,
<jeremy.watts@york.ca>, <lisa.gonsalves@york.ca>, <regional.clerk@york.ca>

Dear Managers,

We are writing to express our deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the unjust termination of Katherine Grzejszczak, a respected paramedic and long-standing member of CUPE Local 4900, who was dismissed on June 20, 2025.

Ms. Grzejszczak’s dismissal stemmed solely from a social media post in which she voiced a principled opposition to the ongoing and well-documented atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians. Her statement reflected a clear anti-war stance and a courageous commitment to justice, human dignity, and the ethical obligations that guide healthcare professionals.

This action represents a troubling infringement on Ms. Grzejszczak’s Charter-protected right to freedom of expression. It sets a dangerous precedent, one that threatens the rights of workers to speak out on matters of conscience and undermines the integrity of our profession.

As healthcare professionals, we are guided by values that prioritize equity, compassion, and human rights. We stand in unwavering solidarity with Ms. Grzejszczak and call for her immediate reinstatement. We urge you, as leaders, to uphold the principles of fairness and to respect the moral agency of your employees—especially when that agency reflects the very ethos of healthcare.

We trust you will reflect seriously on the implications of this decision and take action to correct it.

In solidarity, 

Ottawa Healthcare Professionals for Palestine (OHCP4P)