Notice Board

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) presents a special panel discussion in partnership with the Lethbridge Public Library.
 
How and when can the new Medical Assistance In Dying Law be Applied in Lethbridge?

Date:   Tuesday, September 27, 2016                                 
Time:   7 – 9 p.m.
Venue: Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery, Main Branch, 810 – 5 Ave. South

On Feb. 6, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada sent a powerful message heard around the world. In a unanimous decision, the justices of the high court struck down the federal prohibition on physician-assisted dying, finding that the old law violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The decision, which arguably reflects Canadian values of compassion and individual freedom, has already started to reshape the way we think about death and dying.

The federal government’s new Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law, which received royal assent on June 17, 2016, is however not what was hoped for by supporters of MAID. Barriers remain for many of Canada’s most critically ill individuals. The new law, Bill C-14, may not allow the majority of these Canadians medical assistance to help them end their suffering. Panel members will outline how MAID is being implemented in Lethbridge and why the new legislation ought to be extended. There will also be ample opportunities for audience questions.

Leeca Sonnema is Senior Program Manager and has been with AHS for 18 years. In October of 2015, Leeca joined the Medical Assistance in Dying Secretariat and her role is to manage the inner workings of the project and engage stakeholders in the efforts required to develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the delivery of medical assistance in dying services in Alberta. Leeca has a background in critical care nursing, management and research.

Sean Chilton is the Chief Zone Officer for the South Zone and shares leadership with his Zone Medical Director dyad partner. Sean graduated from the Royal Oldham School of Nursing as a registered nurse and moved to Canada over 25 years ago, starting his early career as a critical care nurse. Since that time, Sean has served in many leadership roles in both rural and urban settings.

Nancy Campbell Coordinator-MAID Care Team, South Zone is a Registered Nurse with 31 years of experience working with patients/families across a variety of health-care settings. Her career started off in rural sites followed by Critical Care specialization for 20 years as ICU staff nurse and Program Clinician/Clinical Nurse Educator for the Emergency/Critical Care Program. Most recently she has been working with AHS as a Transition Team Consultant at the Chinook Regional Hospital.

John Warren: Until last year, John Warren was Vice President of Dying With Dignity, a 30-year-old organization that is committed to helping people achieve quality in dying. The organization also helps people understand their end-of-life choices and works to improve those choices for all Canadians

Moderator: Bob Campbell

This event is free  and everyone is welcome to attend.