from RightToLife
The decision of the Canadian government to abolish a government ministry for people with disabilities has been blasted as “a real slap in the face”, coming at the same time as the country’s euthanasia and assisted suicide programme continues to expand.
When Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his new cabinet, it was noted that no minister with responsibility for people with disabilities had been appointed. The post, which had previously been held by Kamal Khera, was abolished, and people with disabilities have shared their dismay and disappointment about the decision, as plans to expand Canada’s euthanasia and assisted suicide programme continue.
Decision blasted as “a real slap in the face to eight million people with disabilities in Canada”
Disability rights professor David Lepofsky, who is blind, said “For the prime minister to do this is a real slap in the face to eight million people with disabilities in Canada”. Lepofsky also said the decision is a sign to people with disabilities that they are not a priority.
Rabia Khedr, National Director of Disability Without Poverty, echoed Lepofsky’s sentiments, saying “Not having big and bold disability inclusion and accessibility as part of a ministerial portfolio headline sends a message. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are being left behind”.
Disability campaigner Donna Jodhan also referred to the priorities of the new administration, saying the “omission speaks volumes about where Canadians with disabilities now stand on the government’s priority list”.
Commenting on the omission, pro-life campaigner David Cooke criticised the Canadian government for “prioriti[s]ing euthanasia over improving medical and social supports for this vulnerable and marginali[s]ed group”.
Canada’s latest official report on its euthanasia and assisted suicide programme, Fifth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada 2023, showed that 58.3% of people who died by euthanasia and assisted suicide “whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable”, and who responded to questions on the subject, had a disability.