Equality for persons with disabilities on the line in new assisted dying legislation

 By Catherine Frazee A consequential law is proceeding swiftly in Parliament, but mostly under the radar of Canadians with a lot on our minds these days. Bill C7 will amend our current medical assistance in dying (MAiD) law by creating a separate pathway to assisted death for persons who are

It will soon be easier and faster to get a medically assisted death than many disability supports

 By Trudo Lemmens and Leah Krakowitz-Broker To meet the twice-renewed deadline imposed by the Quebec Superior Court in the Truchon case, the federal government is pushing its new Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) bill through Parliament before year’s end.  They should go back to the drawing board and start again. Truchon ruled sections

Canada must learn lessons from Belgium on assisted dying legislation

 By Trudo Lemmens While we were debating in Canada the potential expansion to our Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law, a criminal trial concluded in Belgium against three physicians involved in the death of Tine Nys. Diagnosed in 2010 at age 37 with Asperger’s, Nys received MAID under Belgium’s liberal

Not all lives are valued equally

 Canada must appeal medical assistance in dying decision If I – a young, healthy, white, non-disabled, mother of two, with a successful career and no criminal record – were to walk into a hospital and say, “I want to die,” I have every reason to believe that people would fight

Prime Minister Trudeau… So Far, So Good… But Soon, The Rubber Hits Road.

 By all counts things are going well for Canada’s new Liberal government. Aside from Prime Minister Trudeau’s brief off-side when he unintentionally elbowed NDP MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau in Parliament, leading to a possible Oscar or “Golden Raspberry” for her and Thomas Mulcair for best performance for feigned outrage. It

Dear Health Minister – Please Reinstate Funding for Cochrane Canada

 Cochrane is a key global healthcare resource that needs Canada’s involvement Imagine you’re our new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Despite a grueling election campaign, you’re flush with energy and idealism in a country where “better is always possible.” One key priority is improving Canada’s prosperity but there are also many