Coffee culture

Tim Hortons faces boycott in Canada! The reason is surprisingly about vaccination??

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, When it comes to coffee chain brands, people's first impression might be Starbucks or Luckin Coffee. In Canada, north of the United States, people take pride in Tim Hortons as their national brand. However, recently, this attitude has completely reversed. Canadians have surprisingly launched a boycott against Tim Hortons

Canadian Backlash Against Tim Hortons Over Vaccine Mandate

When it comes to coffee chains, most people might immediately think of Starbucks or Luckin Coffee. However, in Canada, located north of the United States, people have traditionally taken pride in their national brand, Tim Hortons. Recently, however, this attitude has completely reversed. Canadians have actually launched a boycott campaign against Tim Hortons, with the hashtag #BoycottTimHortons generating heated discussion among Twitter users. Some netizens have even stated that Tims is a disgrace.

Tim Hortons boycott discussion on Twitter

Based on this comment alone, you might wonder: Isn't Tims the pride of Canada? Why has everyone suddenly turned against it?

According to a report by Newsweek, the #BoycottTimHortons hashtag appeared on Twitter's trending list last Saturday. The reason behind this trend was Tim Hortons' requirement that participants in its summer camp program must be vaccinated.

Tim Hortons Foundation Camps announcement

A participant in the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps program, Tamara Ugolini, received an email several weeks ago which stated: "Due to ongoing challenges and risks related to vaccines, we at Tims Camps have made the decision that all staff and camp participants must be vaccinated to participate in this year's summer camp."

Email from Tim Hortons Foundation Camps about vaccine requirement

Following this announcement, the mother initiated a petition.

Petition against Tim Hortons vaccine mandate

The petition mentioned that although the Canadian government has no longer made vaccination mandatory, Tim Hortons continues to enforce a policy requiring participants to be vaccinated, and hopes that Tims will reverse this "excessive" policy.

Petition details against Tim Hortons vaccine mandate

As of 12:20 AM on May 11, 2022, local time, this petition had gathered 20,419 signatures, with a goal of collecting 30,000 signatures.

Petition signature count

Mark Friesen, who describes himself as a Canadian patriot and nationalist, posted a video on Twitter expressing his disappointment with Tim Hortons for discriminating against children who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine. He stated that if Tims doesn't change this rule, he will no longer purchase any of their products. He also mentioned that vaccination is not necessary and poses potential health risks.

Mark Friesen's Twitter post against Tim Hortons

Some netizens pointed out that Tim Hortons' decision to only allow vaccinated children to participate in their summer camp is promoting segregation policies, which cannot prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Twitter post about segregation concerns

Other netizens have shared their boycott actions against Tims on Twitter, expressing support for this movement.

Twitter post showing support for Tim Hortons boycott

Some people even protested by purchasing Tims coffee and then spilling it at the entrance of Tim Hortons.

Protest by spilling Tim Hortons coffee

Some netizens noticed something odd about the reasons for boycotting Tims: previously, when an American company acquired Tims, they remained silent; when 40,000 jobs were cut, they stayed quiet; when the company lobbied against raising the minimum wage, they had nothing to say; when paid leave was canceled, they still remained silent. However, when Tims wanted to protect immunocompromised children, they stood up to protest.

Twitter post questioning the timing of the boycott

Other netizens explained who the participants of the Tims Foundation summer camps are, expressing confusion about those opposing Tims.

Twitter post explaining Tim Hortons Foundation Camps participants

Regarding the online petition and the boycott campaign against Tim Hortons, neither Tim Hortons nor Tim Hortons Foundation Camps have yet responded.

Additional Information

Image source: Internet

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