Alberta Justice wants to hear from YOU re: (MAiD) euthanasia regulations

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Alberta government is seeking input from groups and individuals for the purpose of creating new legislative regulations on medical assistance in dying. (Information link). 

Please send written submissions by December 20, 2024 to Alberta Justice at: jus.engagement@gov.ab.ca

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition urges you to take the online survey before December 20, 2024. Please share your thoughts on medical assistance in dying. (Link to survey)

In their media release the Alberta government stated:

Medical assistance in dying is a process that allows an eligible person to receive assistance from a medical practitioner in ending their life. To be found eligible, a person must be suffering from a serious and permanent medical condition.

Alberta’s government is reviewing how MAID is regulated to ensure there is a consistent process as well as oversight that protects vulnerable Albertans, specifically those living with disabilities or suffering from mental health challenges. An online survey is now open for Albertans to share their views and experiences with MAID until Dec. 20.

“We recognize that medical assistance in dying is a very complex and often personal issue and is an important, sensitive and emotional matter for patients and their families. It is important to ensure this process has the necessary supports to protect the most vulnerable. I encourage Albertans who have experience with and opinions on MAID to take this survey.” Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

In addition to the online survey, Alberta’s government will also be engaging directly with academics, medical associations, public bodies, religious organizations, regulatory bodies, advocacy groups and others that have an interest in and/or working relationship to the MAiD process, health care, disabilities and mental health care.

Feedback gathered through this process will help inform the Alberta government’s planning and policy decision making, including potential legislative changes regarding MAiD in Alberta.

“Our government has been clear that we do not support the provision of medically assisted suicide for vulnerable Albertans facing mental illness as their primary purpose for seeking their own death. Instead, our goal is to build a continuum of care where vulnerable Albertans can live in long-term health and fulfillment. We look forward to the feedback of Albertans as we proceed with this important issue.” Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.

"As MAiD is a federally legislated and regulated program that touches the lives of many Albertans, our priority is to ensure we have robust safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals. Albertans’ insights will be essential in developing thoughtful policies on this complex issue.” Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health.

The federal Criminal Code sets out the MAiD eligibility criteria, procedural safeguards and reporting obligations. The federal government has paused MAID eligibility for individuals with a mental illness as their sole underlying medical condition until March 2027 to ensure the provincial health care systems have processes and supports in place. Alberta’s government does not support expanding MAID eligibility to include those facing depression or mental illness and continues to call on the federal government to end this policy altogether.

On February 1, 2023, Alberta premier Danielle Smith objected to the expansion of euthanasia to include mental illness (link)

Alberta Health Services data states that there were 977 reported assisted deaths in 2023 which was up from 836 reported assisted deaths in 2022 and 594 in 2021. 

The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario released a report from the Ontario MAiD Death review Committee outlining six representative stories of non-compliant euthanasia deaths in Ontario. The report indicated that there were at least 428 non-compliant Ontario euthanasia deaths from 2018 to 2023 with 25% of all euthanasia providing doctors, in Ontario, having at least one non-compliant death. We suspect that similar concerns exist with euthanasia in Alberta.

Alberta has had the case of the 27-year-old autistic woman, who was approved and scheduled to die by euthanasia on February 1, 2024 until her father challenged the euthanasia approval in court. There was also a case of a Calgary man who couldn't get experimental treatment for cluster headaches but could get approved for euthanasia.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Send written submissions by December 20, 2024 to Alberta Justice at: jus.engagement@gov.ab.ca 

Take the online survey by December 20, 2024, to share your thoughts on processes for, and oversight of, medical assistance in dying in Alberta. (Link to survey).