Ottawa/CMEDIA: Canada has been asked by a recent report by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to repeal medical assistance in dying (MAID) for anyone without a terminal illness, also known as “Track 2” in Canada’s MAID program.
While recommending Canada to create a federal MAID watchdog, the report presented last month at a meeting of the committee said Canada should look into complaints and investigate the causes that lead to people with disabilities applying for assisted death in the first place.
Offered as a state-sanctioned relief for people who were failed by the government due to improper access to health care or housing, MAID continues to say that poverty, lack of access to employment and services for people with disabilities and the lack of a support system were also cited as factors.
Extremely concerned by Ottawa’s broadening of Canada’s MAID laws in 2021, The UN committee adds that medically assisted death should not target people who have permanent, but non-terminal physical illnesses.
UNCRPD was alerted by the president of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, The Charlotte-Anne Malischewsk, many Canadians with disabilities of the lack of access to supports and services like health care, medication and equipment.that too.
MAID Track 2 threatens the rights outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and disproportionately endangering women with disabilities.
The committee issued recommendations that included repealing Track 2 of MAID, rejecting proposals of offering MAID to “mature minors” under the age of 18, investing in federal, provincial and territorial measures to address the social determinants of health and establishing a resourced federal independent oversight for MAID monitoring.
Legal framework designed with safeguards: Health Canada
The federal government asked The UN committee to end the proposed expansion of MAID for patients with mental disorders, but no physical illness, and to ban any federal support for any requests in advance.
Health Canada said that they do not intend to repeal the Track 2 of MAID and will continue to stand with the system created by them.
“The legal framework for MAID, including Track 2, has been designed with safeguards to affirm and protect the inherent and equal value of every person’s life,” the statement reads.
“Enhanced safeguards are in place for individuals…include that the person must be informed of available and appropriate means to relieve their suffering…and must be offered consultations with professionals who provide those services.”
The health agency said the Government of Canada will complete the review of the final concluding observations and recommendations and consider its response to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
