Canada – Stop Bill 207: “Abandoning Patients Act” Is Unconstitutional and Dangerous

Stop Bill 207: “Abandoning Patients Act” Is Unconstitutional and Dangerous

November 12, 2019
Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada

ALBERTA – A bill introduced on Nov 7 in the Alberta legislature is blatantly unconstitutional because it legalizes discrimination against vulnerable groups on the basis of “conscience.”

Bill 207, misleadingly titled Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers) Protection Act, was introduced by MLA Dan Williams of Alberta’s ruling Uterus Control Party (UCP). The bill is more aptly named the Abandoning Patients Act because it is a license for medical negligence.

Under the bill, health care professionals would enjoy complete immunity for refusing to provide a health care service they disagree with for personal or religious reason (so-called “conscientious objection”). The bill removes existing patient protections, including their right to a referral, and their ability to have a complaint heard or to launch a lawsuit.

Continued: http://www.arcc-cdac.ca/press/ARCC-CDAC-abandonpatients-Nov12-2019.pdf