Stop Bill C 7, your help is urgently needed

UPDATED: We need your help to stop Bill C-7

January 26, 2021

UPDATE: February 8, 2021 

This morning the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons and the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights issued a statement to the Canadian government specific to Bill C-7 indicating grave concerns. The statement puts the Canadian Government on notice that in its current form, Bill C-7 appears to contravene several Human Rights Conventions. Please see their statement below and contact your Senators and MP’s today.

UN Special Rapporteur Mandate

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Originally published January 26, 2021

The World is Watching: UN Human Rights Experts Speak Out Against Disability as a Reason for MAiD

The United Nations has now spoken out, confirming what Inclusion Alberta and over 60 national disability rights organizations have said about Bill C-7: that allowing access to medically assisted suicide on the basis of disability alone is discriminatory, dangerous and morally wrong. 

Having passed in the House of Commons, the Bill now sits with the Senate who has the power to stop it when they reconvene starting February 1st. Inclusion Alberta urges you to contact your Senator today to explain the risks the Bill poses to individuals with developmental disabilities, and to the moral framework of our society.

Learn more about Bill C-7 and how to contact your Senator below:

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Originally published December 17, 2020

The House of Commons has now passed Bill-C7, which will make it possible for someone NOT near the end of life to receive assisted death on the basis of having a disability. The bill is now sitting with Senators for consideration, and as they are expected to make their final decision by tomorrow, (Friday, December 18th) we urgently need your help in reaching out to explain the risks and dangers this bill presents to people with developmental disabilities.

This drastic change, made with limited consultation during the ongoing pandemic, equates to physician assisted suicide for people with disabilities and goes against our values as a country. We have been working hard over the past few decades to put supports in place to prevent suicide for Canadians known to be at risk. Yet the country is turning its back on people with disabilities who experience higher rates of violence, poverty and systemic exclusion.

You can find more information on safeguarding medical assistance in death here: https://inclusionalberta.org/maid

Contact information for our Alberta Senators:

At a time when we all need hope in our lives, we need Canadians to stand up and tell the Government that all lives are worth living. The lives of people who have a disability depend on it. Please contact your Senator today. When you do, please email us to let us know who you have contacted.

-Inclusion Alberta

 

The following is a communication from our national federation, Inclusion Canada.

On December 10, The Canadian House of Commons passed Bill C-7, which introduces medical assistance in dying as an option for people not nearing death, provided they have a disability or disabling medical condition.

This is a blatant violation of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Now more than ever, it is crucial that you let your voice be heard in opposing Bill C-7. Inclusion Canada is one of over 65 organizations who sought an appeal to the Truchon Decision. Now we are pleading with the Federal government to reconsider its proposed approach to assisted dying.  The problems with Bill C-7 are echoed by physicians, legal experts, and advocates across the country who see the bill for what it is – a dire threat to the rights and dignity of people with disabilities and their families and a disgrace to Canada’s commitment to uphold the rights of all persons.

The bill is currently being considered by the Senate. Please join us and thousands of other people concerned about this bill in voicing your dissent.

Email or call your Senator today about Bill C-7 and how it directly threatens the lives of persons with disabilities.

With your help, we can continue to fight against the discrimination and stigmatization of persons with disabilities in Canada and ensure they are supported in living with dignity.