FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2023
Ottawa, ON – Inclusion Canada has received and reviewed the final report of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD). It can’t be sugar coated – people with disabilities and their allies were ignored. We asked for equality-preserving changes to the law; MPs and Senators decided they knew better.
This isn’t surprising. People with disabilities were disrespected by committee members. Their lived experience was discredited and dismissed. Many were also denied requested accommodations to deliver their testimony.
This video sheds light on AMAD’s mistreatment of Canada’s disability community:
The committee’s final report is a discriminatory disaster.
“It is clear that the members of the AMAD committee made up their mind about expanding MAiD before consulting with the disability community,” says Krista Carr, Executive Vice President of Inclusion Canada, “Committee members failed to heed the numerous warnings and concerns raised by people with disabilities and their allies.”
Minister of Justice David Lametti’s decision to delay the expansion of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for people with mental illness does not go far enough. The sunset clause must be removed indefinitely and we demand the government roll back the expansion of assisted dying on the basis of disability. Bill C-7 must be repealed.
“Sadly, these recommendations aren’t surprising coming out of this committee process,” says Robin Acton, President of Inclusion Canada, “This report, if implemented, makes people with disabilities even more vulnerable to state-assisted death. This report suggests expanding MAiD to mature minors and by advanced requests, both of which will put people with intellectual disabilities at even greater risk.”
The Conservative caucus released a dissenting report which echoes international concerns with the harm further expansion of MAiD will cause people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations.
You need look no further than the video above to see how persons with disabilities were treated in this process. We encourage you to reflect on the conduct of Parliamentarians and how the voices of the disability community have been silenced. This committee’s recommendations do not reflect the voices of the very people track two MAiD targets. People with disabilities deserve better.
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For more information, please contact:
Marc Muschler, Inclusion Canada
416-661-9611 ext. 232
mmuschler@inclusioncanada.ca
About Inclusion Canada
Inclusion Canada is a national federation of 13 provincial-territorial associations and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with an intellectual disability and their families. We lead the way in building an inclusive Canada by strengthening families, defending rights, and transforming communities into places where everyone belongs.
