The Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) has submitted a comprehensive written brief in response to the Alberta government’s invitation to participate in its consultation on regulating assisted suicide and protecting the vulnerable. This submission is part of CLF’s longstanding work defending every person’s inherent right to life, and ensuring its protection for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.
The Alberta government launched this consultation to gather feedback on the impact of assisted suicide laws following the federal legalization of assisted suicide (also referred to as medical assistance in dying, or MAID) in 2016, and its expansion to those who are not dying in 2021.
In the brief, CLF echoed deep concerns that have been raised by many in the disability community about the devastating impact of Canada’s assisted suicide regime on marginalized individuals, as detailed in numerous studies and reports to date.
CLF expressed concerns about a lack of MAID oversight (as recently highlighted by a committee's review in another province), and the need for better safeguards and supports prioritizing life-affirming care. CLF stressed that no hospital or palliative care community should be forced to offer euthanasia, and that conversations about euthanasia should never be initiated, unsolicited, by a health care professional.
CLF’s brief explained that provinces have considerable constitutional leeway to enact policies and laws to guard against some of these harms, and to protect the health and safety of all patients—particularly those who are elderly, have disabilities, or are struggling with mental health challenges. Those issues are detailed further in a forthcoming law journal article.
CLF’s life-affirming position is grounded in our deep conviction that every human life, regardless of health status or ability, deserves respect and full legal protection (as set out in Article 10 of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). CLF’s brief calls for a renewed focus on improving palliative care and ensuring that individuals facing serious illness or profound suffering have access to the compassionate support they need, without having to resort to a premature death.
This submission is part of CLF’s ongoing advocacy work defending the lives of all, including eight court interventions to date, with more anticipated in the coming year. CLF and its members have also publishing numerous peer-reviewed law journal articles drawing attention to these issues and calling for legal reform. CLF remains committed to engaging with legal processes to ensure that the rights of Canadians, including those seeking life-affirming care, are upheld.
CLF is grateful for the ongoing support of its members, whose contributions make this vital work possible. If you would like to contribute to our ongoing work on this file, please click here. To read our submission, you can find it below.
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CLF’s written submissions to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, reporting that the Canadian government has failed to respond meaningfully to the serious concerns raised by UN experts on shortcomings in Canada’s framework for supporting persons with disabilities.
The Vulnerable Persons Standard (of which CLF is a supporting organization) submission to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying
CLF’s work protecting Dignity for All