Bill 53 in the crosshairs
By Lethbridge Herald on June 17, 2025.
The Raging Grannies of Lethbridge sing during a Saturday demonstration against Bill 53 (the Compassionate Intervention Act) at City Hall. The Grannies and guest speakers joined approximately 40 others, braving summer temperatures to voice their concerns over the pending legislation.Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Braving summer-like temperatures, a group of around 40 public health care supporters gathered on the steps of City Hall to voice their concerns about Alberta public health care, including higher costs, the spectre of privatization and in particular Bill 53, which they believe is being rushed through to law by the provincial government.
Bill 53, also known as the Compassionate Intervention Act, would allow for involuntary treatment for adults struggling with severe substance use or addiction, if they pose a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others. The bill aims to provide a pathway for families, health care professionals, and law enforcement to intervene when individuals are unable to seek help on their own.
“It allows for the involuntary commitment of individuals with substance use disorders who are deemed a risk to themselves or others,” said Bev Mendel-Atherstone, chair of the Lethbridge chapter of Friends of Medicare. “This means that under certain circumstances individuals can be compelled into treatment by family members, health care professionals, or police…very broad, very open. I looked carefully at this, I’ve read through it many times…this act does not indicate who gives the treatment order, or what the qualifications are or what they are., or what they must have, or what criteria must be met. It’s very very vague.”
Premier Danielle Smith has said the point of the proposed Compassionate Intervention Act is to help severely addicted people who are at risk of hurting themselves or someone else. Proponents argue that it offers a much-needed intervention for individuals in desperate situations, providing a path to recovery and a chance to reconnect with their families.
The Alberta government has committed $180 million over three years to build two 150-bed compassionate intervention centres, one in Edmonton and one in Calgary, with construction starting in 2026.
Additionally, the government plans to transition protective safe houses into spaces for compassionate intervention for youth and expects to open the Northern Alberta Youth Recovery Centre next year.
However, the bill presents challenges for physicians and patients. According to opponents, the current evidence does not support that the benefits of involuntary treatment outweigh the risks and costs.
In addition, there are questions around medical ethics, human rights, social justice, the role of lawyers as gatekeepers to care and potential harms.
“I want to begin by acknowledging what is good about the act,” said speaker Dr. Michael Auld, an anesthesiologist who works part-time in the Lethbridge Recovery Centre. “By calling it compassionate intervention, means you care. You want to do something, and that’s good. It’s recovery-oriented, which is good. The approach is meant to be evidence-based.
“There is little evidence to support involuntary treatment for addiction. For that statement I go to the Canadian Centre on Substance use, that around February of this year published a position paper that’s research-based saying: ‘There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of involuntary treatment for severe substance use disorders,” said Auld.
“Some studies suggest involuntary treatment can help people stay in treatment programs longer…most do not show significant improvement in reducing substance use or criminal reoffense. In some cases, involuntary treatment has been linked to negative health outcomes, such as increased risk of overdose and death. I encourage you to read it with a skeptical eye, but that is what the science tells us.”
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) said it strongly opposes the bill and claims that forced treatment for addicted individuals may cause harm, including higher relapse and overdose rates.
Others speakers at the rally included homelessness and addictions advocate Yale Belanger, a professor of the University of Lethbridge, and activist Mark Brave Rock of the SAGE Clan Patrol. At the end of the rally, attendees were encouraged to sign documents addressed to the Lethbridge MLAs and to also write directly to them individually.
15-14
Let the raging grannies take them home and care for the inflicted at their homes and their expense.
I am profiting (900$ to 1000$/hr )online from my workstation. A month ago I GOT chek of about 30k$, this online work is basic and direct, don’t need to go OFFICE, c160 Its home online activity. By then this work opportunity is fbegin your work….★★
Copy Here→→→→→ 𝐖𝐰𝐰.𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐀𝐩𝐩𝟏.𝐜𝐨𝐦