Launched Sept. 26, the coalition consists of Inclusion Canada, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), Indigenous Disability Canada (IDC), DAWN Canada and two individuals harmed by Track 2.
The coalition is asking the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to strike down Track 2, arguing it is unconstitutional to provide MAiD solely on the basis of disability. The challenge also argues Track 2 MAiD has raised discrimination and stigma towards the disabled and resulted in premature deaths.
Krista Carr, executive vice-president of Inclusion Canada, noted an 鈥渁larming trend鈥� of people with disabilities seeking MAiD.
鈥淭his law also sends a devastating message that life with a disability is a fate worse than death, undermining decades of work toward equity and inclusion,鈥� said Carr. 鈥淚t鱿鱼视频app time to put an end to helping people with disabilities commit suicide and start supporting them to live.鈥�
Carr said that 鈥渟ociety has deep-rooted unconscious and conscious biases鈥� regarding what it鱿鱼视频app like to live with a disability and 鈥渨hose lives they think are worth living and saving and protecting.鈥� She added that she 鈥渄oes not think that people who work in our court system are immune鈥� from those inclinations.
In the short period since the court challenge was announced, Carr has noticed a higher level of awareness about Track 2 MAiD.
鈥淚t鱿鱼视频app amazing that even since the press conference, (I鈥檝e) seen a number of things on social media where people didn鈥檛 even know there was Track 2 MAiD,鈥� said Carr. 鈥淲hen people think about medical assistance in dying, they think about their friend who has stage 4 brain cancer, is in a significant amount of pain and may or may not be able to get palliative care.鈥�
The main thrust of the challenge is fairness, said Heather Walkus, national chairperson of the CCD.
鈥淭his challenge is about protecting the equality and human rights of all people with disabilities in Canada,鈥� said Walkus. 鈥淚nstead of providing the support and resources we need to live, our government is offering death. It鱿鱼视频app unacceptable and we won鈥檛 stand for it.鈥�
Neil Belanger, the CEO of IDC/BCANDS, stated that 鈥淚ndigenous peoples and communities across Canada face higher rates of disability, poverty and isolation while continuing to battle significant barriers when attempting to access disability and health services and supports necessary for their well-being. Understanding this, this law is not just discriminatory; it reinforces the ongoing marginalization of Indigenous peoples with disabilities.鈥�
While efforts will be made to 鈥渟pur more conversation,鈥� Carr emphasized that Inclusion Canada and its allies are non-profits that 鈥渄o not have the big budgets to run campaigns鈥� unlike 鈥渨ell-resourced organizations like Dying With Dignity (Canada).鈥�
However, Carr said, 鈥渋f we did not think we could win, we would not be doing it鈥�
鈥淲e believe, fundamentally, the Charter rights of people with disabilities are being violated under Track 2 MAiD. We have singled out one particular Charter-protected group for death and we do not offer it to anyone else.鈥�
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is seeking intervenor status in the case.