CVS Statement on Bill C-7 and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

Approved by the Community Ventures Society Board: February 26, 2024

The Community Ventures Society Board is following the impacts of Bill C-7’s expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) eligibility that allows access to MAID for those who do not meet the reasonably foreseeable natural death requirement. The Board believes that Bill C-7’s expansion of MAID eligibility lacks the necessary safeguards to protect people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and uphold their human rights.  

We are concerned that MAID will be too readily promoted or suggested to people with disabilities, when many of the critical factors influencing their life decisions, in this case whether to live or die, relate directly to the absence of appropriate supports.  Key supports include addressing poverty, lack of housing, adequate health care and related socioeconomic considerations that are often disproportionately experienced by people with disabilities. The government has an obligation to ensure that people with disabilities have the support and resources to lead self-determined, dignity-filled lives. Providing access to MAID while simultaneously failing to address ableist systems and lack of support is not only irresponsible, it is a violation of Canada’s commitments as a signatory to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

We are concerned that Bill C-7 does not recognize the vulnerability of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Furthermore, we are concerned that they will be directly or indirectly influenced to choose MAID, by those in a position of power who are making judgments based on negative stereotypes about whether a life with a disability is worth living.  We believe that the expansion of MAID to allow access based solely on disability status perpetuates these negative stereotypes and assumptions of life lived with disability. 

The federal government recently delayed the expansion of MAID to include people living with mental illness until 2027.  We believe a similar pause to Bill C-7 should be put in place until further safeguards and provisions are in place to affirm fully and uphold the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The effects of legislation must be understood beyond the intent. 

The Board commits to proactively working with partner agencies and organization to advocate for these changes. 

Signed,

The Community Ventures Society Board of Directors

For more information of recommended safeguards within Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada: https://inclusioncanada.ca/MAID/. For more information on the Canadian policy on Medical Assistance in Dying: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/ad-am/bk-di.html

Accessible Version: CVS Statement on Bill C-7 and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)

The Community Ventures Society Board has been learning about Bill C-7’s expansion of MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying), which allows people who have a disability that is not life threatening to apply for access to MAID. 

• The Board believes this change in the law is harmful for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and does not respect their human rights.  

• We think the government has a responsibility to provide support for people with disabilities, including financial assistance, housing and healthcare. The government should provide support and resources that lead to self-determined, dignity-filled lives. 

• Providing access to MAID, while not providing enough support is a violation of Canada’s commitments as a signatory to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

• We are worried that this new law encourages negative ideas about disability and can put people with disabilities at risk.

• We believe the government should stop providing MAID to people that have with intellectual and developmental disabilities and are not sick or close to dying. 

• The government should provide people with good support and create rules that protect people from discrimination when discussing the use of MAID.

• The Board will work with our partners to advocate for these changes. 

Signed,

The Community Ventures Society Board of Directors

For more information of recommended safeguards within Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada: https://inclusioncanada.ca/MAID/
For more information on the Canadian policy on Medical Assistance in Dying: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/ad-am/bk-di.html