Inclusion Lethbridge backs Bill 18

By Lethbridge Herald on March 31, 2026.

By Alexandra Noad

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Lethbridge Herald

Inclusion Lethbridge has announced their support for Bill 18, a legislation which protects lives of persons with disabilities and limit the provision of Track 2 Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) but believes there needs to be more supports in place for people with disabilities.

Since 2021, Track 2 has allowed MAID for people with disabilities, who are not nearing the end of life and disability organizations across Canada have been calling for the end of Track 2.

Rene Plaizer, executive director of Inclusion Lethbridge says Track 2 sends the message life with a disability is somehow less worth of support, something she believes is wrong.

“When someone is suffering because of poverty lack of housing, discrimination, isolation or unmet needs, the answer must be support-not assisted suicide.”

With the introduction of the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) Plaizer says she has heard from many people who were considering Track 2 MAID due to the anxiety and uncertainty of the future, resulting in a general state of hopelessness for those already living in poverty.

“If we value the lives of people with disabilities, we must show it by addressing gaps and systemic failures in inclusive and accessible housing, income supports, disability supports and healthcare.”

Inclusion Lethbridge encourages people to write to their MLA’s in support of Bill 18, they also believe it is important to continue to advocate to provincial and federal governments for basic living allowances which do not force people with disabilities into poverty and suffering.

While Bill 18 would stop Alberta’s health system from offering and providing Track 2 MAID, Track 1 would still be available for people whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable.