Downlaod memo from Linda VandenBerg, Provincial Chairperson of Legislation
“National Palliative Care: Private member’s Bill C-277 Framework on Palliative Care Act in Canada received royal assent December 12, 2017. This bill in part states, ‘The Minister of Health must, in consultation with the representatives of the provincial and territorial governments responsible for health, as well as with palliative care providers, develop a framework designed to support improved access for Canadians to palliative care - provided through hospitals, home care, long-term care facilities and residential hospices …’
“Resolution 2017.04 Protection from Coercion of Conscience for Healthcare Professionals : On January 31, 2018 the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court) upheld the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s policies regarding the requirement that physicians who have ethical objections to certain acts, including euthanasia and abortion, must refer patients to healthcare professionals who will provide the act, even though the court recognized that this violates the physicians’ rights to religious freedom. If this can happen in Ontario, it can happen in all provinces.”
“Bill C-38 An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons):
This bill is in second reading in the House of Commons (1st reading February 9, 2017) This enactment amends An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons) so that certain sections of that act can come into force on different days. The act received royal assent on June 18, 2015 yet has not come into force since presently the act states that it will come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. If Bill C-38 passes, it would allow the act to come into force on the day of receiving royal assent, thereby expediting the justice system for those who have exploited and trafficked persons.”
“Petitions: I recently contacted my member of parliament’s office and enquired if a person signed a petition in a previous year and the requested action had not been achieved, could they resign the same petition? The response was that a petition is a formal public document and therefore, once signed is always on record. The request has been noted and a person should not resign a petition.”
Alberta Legislation:
Bill Status Report: Bill 5 — An Act to Strengthen Financial Security for Persons with Disabilities (Sabir)
First Reading — 200-201 (Mar. 19, 2018 aft., passed) Second Reading — (Apr. 3, 2018 morn., adjourned)
Newsworthy items:
Edmonton councillors debates how to enforce rules for when recreational cannabis becomes legal.
Bills to watch:
Bill 26, an act to control and regulate cannabis. This Bill has been passed, but has not yet been proclaimed. I would encourage members to continue to educate themselves regarding the effects of cannabis use, especially in the area of secondhand smoke. I would also invite resolutions at the grassroots level regarding encouragement of government to limit wide-spread use with the thought of
what effects secondhand cannabis smoke can have on the general public, especially children and the
elderly.
To do list:
- Contact our provincial Minister of Health, Sarah Hoffman, to ensure that her office is developing a provincial framework to support improved access to palliative care.
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_contact&rnumber=34&leg=29 - Contact all levels of provincial government urging that coercing healthcare professionals into referring for or performing procedures that are in opposition to their charter rights of freedom of conscience and religion be considered an offence.
- Premier Rachel Notley,
https://www.alberta.ca/albertaFiles/includes/DirectorySearch/browse_view.cfm?txtSearch=Rachel%20Notley&item=69973#69973 - Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Minister Kathleen Ganley,
https://www.alberta.ca/albertaFiles/includes/DirectorySearch/browse_view.cfm?txtSearch=kathleen%20ganley&item=82821#82821 - Your local MLAs
http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home
- Premier Rachel Notley,
- Contact your local members of parliament to support Bill C-38 (amendment to the act regarding exploitation and trafficking).
- Your local MPs
https://www.canada.ca/en/contact.html
- Your local MPs
- Pass the word - Seniors’ Advocate, available for assistance - https://seniorsadvocateab.ca
If anyone has any questions regarding the legislation committee, please send them my way.
For God and Canada.
Linda VandenBerg, Alberta MacKenzie Provincial Legislation Committee Chair
