Latest news with #Hajdu
Vancouver Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Liberals show no signs of limiting MAID despite 'extremely concerned' UN report
OTTAWA — Ottawa is giving no sign that it intends to amend existing legislation on medical assistance in dying — something a UN committee called for earlier this spring. The federal minister responsible for disabilities spoke at a hearing of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last week, about two months after the committee called on Canada to repeal the 2021 law that expanded eligibility for assisted dying to those whose deaths were not reasonably foreseeable. Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu gave a speech at the UN last Tuesday to mark 15 years since Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'It's about, for me, making relationships in this space and making sure that I have a really strong connection with the community, which I think is really important to be a good minister,' she said in an interview after the speech. Her address did not cite the committee's report, which was released in late March as the federal election got underway. The report said the committee is 'extremely concerned' about Canada's policy on track 2 medical assistance in dying. '(T)he concept of 'choice' creates a false dichotomy, setting up the premise that if persons with disabilities are suffering, it is valid for (Canada) to enable their death without providing safeguards that guarantee the provision of support,' the report said. In a written statement, a spokesperson for Hajdu said the government thanks the committee for its report. 'MAID is a deeply personal choice. We will make sure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld and protected,' said Jennifer Kozelj. Disability rights groups in Canada have argued the law singles out people with disabilities who are suffering because they're unable to access proper support. Last September, Inclusion Canada was among a group of organizations that filed a Charter of Rights challenge against what's known as track 2 MAID. In court documents, they argued the law 'allows people with disabilities to access state-funded death in circumstances where they cannot access state-funded supports they need to make their suffering tolerable.' The organization's CEO, Krista Carr, said she wants to see Ottawa deliver an action plan on implementing the recommendations in the UN report. 'It was crystal clear — the United Nations said they need to repeal track 2 medical assistance in dying,' she said. Garnett Genuis, the Conservative employment critic, said he came away from the UN event worried about Canada's international reputation being harmed by what he called Ottawa's 'failures to uphold our obligations to protect the rights of people with living with disabilities.' 'There is a lot of concern internationally within the disability rights community about what's happening in Canada around euthanasia and people living with disabilities,' he said. Genuis said he would support additional guardrails around track 2 assisted dying. In New Zealand, he pointed out, health professionals cannot suggest assisted dying as an option but are able to provide information to patients who ask for it. 'I think that would be a meaningful way of improving the experience of people living with disabilities who interact with the health-care system,' he said. The offices of Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Justice Minister Sean Fraser did not say whether Ottawa is considering changes to the assisted dying law as a result of the report. A spokesman for Michel cited strict eligibility requirements and 'multiple robust safeguards' in the current law. Canada's medical assistance in dying law was updated in 2021 after the Quebec Court of Appeal found that limiting access to people whose deaths were reasonably foreseeable amounted to discrimination. The federal government opted not to take that ruling to the Supreme Court, and instead changed the law to broaden eligibility. The latest annual report on medical assistance in dying shows that 622 of the 15,343 people who had an assisted death in 2023 were part of that track 2. They included 210 people who self-identified as having a disability. The report said that less than three per cent of the people who qualified for an assisted death in 2023 said they did not receive the disability support services they needed. The most frequently reported disabilities among MAID recipients were mobility and pain-related. To be considered eligible to apply for MAID, a person must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition. For people whose death is not reasonably foreseeable, there's a minimum 90-day waiting period between the first assessment and the procedure. The applicant must be informed of counselling, mental health supports, disability supports, community services and palliative care, and must be offered consultations with relevant professionals. The applicant and two different medical practitioners also have to discuss means to relieve the person's suffering and 'agree that the person has seriously considered these means,' according to Health Canada's website. 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Edmonton Journal
19-06-2025
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Liberals show no signs of limiting MAID despite 'extremely concerned' UN report
Article content OTTAWA — Ottawa is giving no sign that it intends to amend existing legislation on medical assistance in dying — something a UN committee called for earlier this spring. The federal minister responsible for disabilities spoke at a hearing of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last week, about two months after the committee called on Canada to repeal the 2021 law that expanded eligibility for assisted dying to those whose deaths were not reasonably foreseeable. Article content Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu gave a speech at the UN last Tuesday to mark 15 years since Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 'It's about, for me, making relationships in this space and making sure that I have a really strong connection with the community, which I think is really important to be a good minister,' she said in an interview after the speech. Her address did not cite the committee's report, which was released in late March as the federal election got underway. The report said the committee is 'extremely concerned' about Canada's policy on track 2 medical assistance in dying. '(T)he concept of 'choice' creates a false dichotomy, setting up the premise that if persons with disabilities are suffering, it is valid for (Canada) to enable their death without providing safeguards that guarantee the provision of support,' the report said. Article content In a written statement, a spokesperson for Hajdu said the government thanks the committee for its report. 'MAID is a deeply personal choice. We will make sure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld and protected,' said Jennifer Kozelj. Disability rights groups in Canada have argued the law singles out people with disabilities who are suffering because they're unable to access proper support. Last September, Inclusion Canada was among a group of organizations that filed a Charter of Rights challenge against what's known as track 2 MAID. In court documents, they argued the law 'allows people with disabilities to access state-funded death in circumstances where they cannot access state-funded supports they need to make their suffering tolerable.' The organization's CEO, Krista Carr, said she wants to see Ottawa deliver an action plan on implementing the recommendations in the UN report. Article content 'It was crystal clear — the United Nations said they need to repeal track 2 medical assistance in dying,' she said. Garnett Genuis, the Conservative employment critic, said he came away from the UN event worried about Canada's international reputation being harmed by what he called Ottawa's 'failures to uphold our obligations to protect the rights of people with living with disabilities.' 'There is a lot of concern internationally within the disability rights community about what's happening in Canada around euthanasia and people living with disabilities,' he said. Genuis said he would support additional guardrails around track 2 assisted dying. In New Zealand, he pointed out, health professionals cannot suggest assisted dying as an option but are able to provide information to patients who ask for it. 'I think that would be a meaningful way of improving the experience of people living with disabilities who interact with the health-care system,' he said. Article content The offices of Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Justice Minister Sean Fraser did not say whether Ottawa is considering changes to the assisted dying law as a result of the report. A spokesman for Michel cited strict eligibility requirements and 'multiple robust safeguards' in the current law. Canada's medical assistance in dying law was updated in 2021 after the Quebec Court of Appeal found that limiting access to people whose deaths were reasonably foreseeable amounted to discrimination. The federal government opted not to take that ruling to the Supreme Court, and instead changed the law to broaden eligibility. The latest annual report on medical assistance in dying shows that 622 of the 15,343 people who had an assisted death in 2023 were part of that track 2. They included 210 people who self-identified as having a disability. Latest National Stories
Winnipeg Free Press
19-06-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ottawa shows no signs of limiting MAID after UN panel calls for reversal
OTTAWA – Ottawa is giving no sign that it intends to amend existing legislation on medical assistance in dying — something a UN committee called for earlier this spring. The federal minister responsible for disabilities spoke at a hearing of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities last week, about two months after the committee called on Canada to repeal the 2021 law that expanded eligibility for assisted dying to those whose deaths were not reasonably foreseeable. Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu gave a speech at the UN last Tuesday to mark 15 years since Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 'It's about, for me, making relationships in this space and making sure that I have a really strong connection with the community, which I think is really important to be a good minister,' she said in an interview after the speech. Her address did not cite the committee's report, which was released in late March as the federal election got underway. The report said the committee is 'extremely concerned' about Canada's policy on track 2 medical assistance in dying. '(T)he concept of 'choice' creates a false dichotomy, setting up the premise that if persons with disabilities are suffering, it is valid for (Canada) to enable their death without providing safeguards that guarantee the provision of support,' the report said. In a written statement, a spokesperson for Hajdu said the government thanks the committee for its report. 'MAID is a deeply personal choice. We will make sure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld and protected,' said Jennifer Kozelj. Disability rights groups in Canada have argued the law singles out people with disabilities who are suffering because they're unable to access proper support. Last September, Inclusion Canada was among a group of organizations that filed a Charter of Rights challenge against what's known as track 2 MAID. In court documents, they argued the law 'allows people with disabilities to access state-funded death in circumstances where they cannot access state-funded supports they need to make their suffering tolerable.' The organization's CEO, Krista Carr, said she wants to see Ottawa deliver an action plan on implementing the recommendations in the UN report. 'It was crystal clear — the United Nations said they need to repeal track 2 medical assistance in dying,' she said. Garnett Genuis, the Conservative employment critic, said he came away from the UN event worried about Canada's international reputation being harmed by what he called Ottawa's 'failures to uphold our obligations to protect the rights of people with living with disabilities.' 'There is a lot of concern internationally within the disability rights community about what's happening in Canada around euthanasia and people living with disabilities,' he said. Genuis said he would support additional guardrails around track 2 assisted dying. In New Zealand, he pointed out, health professionals cannot suggest assisted dying as an option but are able to provide information to patients who ask for it. 'I think that would be a meaningful way of improving the experience of people living with disabilities who interact with the health-care system,' he said. The offices of Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Justice Minister Sean Fraser did not say whether Ottawa is considering changes to the assisted dying law as a result of the report. A spokesman for Michel cited strict eligibility requirements and 'multiple robust safeguards' in the current law. Canada's medical assistance in dying law was updated in 2021 after the Quebec Court of Appeal found that limiting access to people whose deaths were reasonably foreseeable amounted to discrimination. The federal government opted not to take that ruling to the Supreme Court, and instead changed the law to broaden eligibility. The latest annual report on medical assistance in dying shows that 622 of the 15,343 people who had an assisted death in 2023 were part of that track 2. They included 210 people who self-identified as having a disability. The report said that less than three per cent of the people who qualified for an assisted death in 2023 said they did not receive the disability support services they needed. The most frequently reported disabilities among MAID recipients were mobility and pain-related. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. To be considered eligible to apply for MAID, a person must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition. For people whose death is not reasonably foreseeable, there's a minimum 90-day waiting period between the first assessment and the procedure. The applicant must be informed of counselling, mental health supports, disability supports, community services and palliative care, and must be offered consultations with relevant professionals. The applicant and two different medical practitioners also have to discuss means to relieve the person's suffering and 'agree that the person has seriously considered these means,' according to Health Canada's website. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
13-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Government orders vote on Canada Post contract offer in move union slams as attack on workers' rights
Federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu has ordered a vote on Canada Post 's 'final' contract offer to 55,000 employees, a move immediately slammed by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers as an attack on workers' rights and something labour experts say might not bring an immediate end to the bitter contract dispute. Hajdu made the announcement Thursday morning on the social media platform X. 'Today, I have decided to exercise my authority under section 108.1(1) of the Canada Labour Code to direct a vote on the final offers that Canada Post submitted to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) on May 28, 2025,' Hajdu posted. 'After 18 months of negotiation, over 200 meetings between the parties, 33 days of strike and lockout in the fall, and ongoing strain placed on Canada's small businesses and communities, it is in the public interest that the membership of CUPW has the opportunity to vote on Canada Post's last offers.' The vote will be administered by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Sources said the CIRB is expected to meet with the two sides in the coming days to lay out the mechanics of the vote , and look at lists of workers eligible to vote. The vote is expected to take place within roughly two weeks. In an emailed statement, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers slammed the order as an attack on workers' rights. 'Once again, Canada Post and the government are colluding to take away the rights of workers to freely and fairly bargain collective agreements. They seek to overturn and rewrite decades of hard-won rights and working conditions to make unilateral changes to collective agreements,' CUPW said, adding that it will be urging members to reject the offer. 'Forced deals will not achieve labour peace. This also sends a signal to other employers and the labour movement about how far this government will go to trample on the rights of workers,' CUPW added. While CUPW could have its members start a full strike — or even a rotating one — as a response to the order, all the union said publicly Thursday is that it would continue its ban on working overtime, a 'strike action' it began May 23. Earlier this week, CUPW criticized the Crown corporation, saying it was trying to avoid a negotiated settlement by asking Hajdu to order a vote, and by insisting any arbitration be based on a key report from veteran mediator William Kaplan, who said Canada Post was effectively insolvent. Kaplan also said there's an impasse in bargaining, suggested arbitration wouldn't be a good choice to deal with Canada Post's need for restructuring, and said a final offer would be the third option for an end to the dispute. In an emailed statement, the Crown corporation praised Hajdu's decision, which it had requested for weeks. 'We welcome the minister's decision as it will provide employees with the opportunity to have a voice and vote on a new collective agreement at a critical point in our history,' Canada Post said. 'This ratification vote comes as the parties remain at an impasse after 18 months of negotiations, a national strike and an Industrial Inquiry Commission which detailed the challenges we face, and what needs to be done to begin addressing them.' Earlier this month, Canada Post rejected the union's request for binding arbitration, saying it would take too long, and could exacerbate their financial struggles. On May 28, Canada Post made what it called its 'final' contract offer, which includes a 13 per cent wage increase spread over four years, as well as a $1,000 signing bonus. Two days later, it asked Hajdu to order a vote on the offer. A forced vote could tempt workers who'd otherwise be in favour of the offer to turn it down, labour experts suggested. 'Canada Post's decision to ask the minister to approve a forced vote will likely result in a backlash that helps unify a divided CUPW membership in opposition to the employer,' said Brock University labour studies professor Larry Savage. But Hajdu's order almost certainly makes life difficult for CUPW, no matter which way the vote goes, argued Steven Tufts, a labour studies professor at York University. 'The union's in a lose-lose situation. If the members accept, then that's really going to be a challenge for the union. If they turn it down say, 60-40, then you still have a large chunk of the members not enthused about a strike, and there's no clear path forward,' said Tufts. Labour law professor David J. Doorey said the vote is Canada Post's last hope of avoiding binding arbitration, but warned it could backfire. 'It's a risky move, because if the workers vote down the employer's offer, it seems almost certain that the government will impose arbitration against Canada Post's wishes,' said Doorey, a professor at York University's Osgoode Hall law school. Last week, CUPW filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board accusing the Crown corporation of doing an end-run around the union to negotiate directly with workers and 'purposefully trying to discredit the reputation of the union.' The complaint also asks the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order damages be paid to the union. The Crown corporation said it had every right to communicate with its workers, and said it will fight the complaint. CUPW members have been in a legal strike position since May 23, but their strike action has thus far been limited to a ban on overtime work. Kaplan's May 15 report said Canada Post was effectively insolvent , and suggested the use of community mailboxes, the elimination of home delivery except for parcels, and getting rid of some post office locations and replacing them with franchises. Kaplan also suggested expanding parcel delivery to seven days a week, with the use of part-time and temporary employees.
Global News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Canada Post asks jobs minister to direct union to vote on ‘final offers'
Canada Post said Friday it is asking Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to direct the postal workers' union to hold a vote on the 'final offers' the national mail carrier presented earlier this week, rather than continue talks it says are at an impasse. The statement was released as the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) met with Hajdu and Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli on Friday as an overtime ban continues for workers. It was not immediately clear what was achieved at the meeting, which comes as the threat of wider strike action grows with little movement at the negotiating table. Canada Post said that 'given the level of the impasse and CUPW's negotiating position, it is not possible to reach tentative agreements in the normal course' through negotiations. It added that 'the best hope of achieving freely negotiated collective agreements is an employee vote' administered by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which Hajdu can order as minister through her powers under the Canada Labour Code. Story continues below advertisement Such a vote would effectively adopt the final offers presented by Canada Post as a new collective agreement, in a method similar to a membership-wide ratification of a tentative deal. CUPW did not immediately comment. Hajdu and Zerucelli have yet to comment on the meeting with CUPW or Canada Post's request. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In an email to Global News earlier Friday, CUPW said it was still reviewing the 'final offers' to its urban postal operations and rural and suburban mail carriers, but that a preliminary review had determined the proposals 'fall short.' 'Canada Post's responses demonstrate that not only do they not want to bargain in good faith, but they also want several significant issues to be non-negotiable including: part-time flex staffing and weekend delivery as well as dynamic routing and load levelling,' the statement read. 10:53 CUPW reviewing Canada Post offer amid overtime ban Canada Post and CUPW have been trying to negotiate a new contract for more than 18 months, which led to a month-long strike last year. Story continues below advertisement The Crown corporation has said its latest proposal was an 'enhanced offer' from the one it made earlier this month, despite its latest financial report showing mounting challenges. Under the new offers, Canada Post says employees will receive a signing bonus of $1,000 or $500, depending on their role. The cost-of-living allowance payments will have a lower inflation threshold, meaning they will get triggered with inflation at 7.16 per cent instead of 13.59 per cent. The Crown corporation said it will also end mandatory overtime. However, the company also says it's remaining firm on its original wage offer of six per cent in the first year, followed by three per cent in the second year and two per cent in each of the following two years, for a compounded total of 13.59 per cent. Canada Post said Friday the final offers 'entirely' reflect the recommendations from a federally-commissioned report this month that called for significant overhauls to the company's operations. The report said daily door-to-door mail delivery should be phased out and community mailboxes established 'wherever practicable,' among other changes, and called on the federal government to remove moratoriums on rural post office closures. Canada Post is 'facing an existential crisis: It is effectively insolvent, or bankrupt,' the report from the Industrial Inquiry Commission said. Story continues below advertisement The Crown corporation earlier this week posted a nearly $1.3-billion operating loss for 2024, while revenues fell by $800 million, or 12.2 per cent, compared with 2023. Last year's strike contributed to a 'net negative impact of $208 million' towards Canada Post's $841-million loss before tax, the latest annual report said. When the corporation presented its offers on Wednesday, it said in a news release that the final offers were 'designed to move negotiations forward and return certainty and stability to customers, Canada Post's employees, and all Canadians.'
