Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) joins Inclusion Canada in calling for repeal of Track 2 MAiD, which prioritizes death over support for Canadians with disabilities
(March 26, 2025 – Vancouver, BC)—The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) joins Inclusion Canada in calling for urgent action following the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) review, which issued a series of critical recommendations aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Canada.
The CRPD Committee’s review reveals significant gaps in Canada’s efforts to uphold the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, including the dangerous provision of Track 2 Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), the inadequate Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), and the ongoing regional disparities in disability rights implementation. These findings resonate deeply with FSI and the families we serve, who have long voiced concerns over these issues.
FSI wholeheartedly supports the CRPD Committee’s call for Canada to repeal Track 2 MAiD, which currently allows people with disabilities whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable to seek assisted death. This provision represents a direct threat to the lives of individuals with disabilities, as it reflects ableist perceptions of their worth and the value of their lives. The CRPD Committee has made it clear that this practice is harmful and must be repealed, and FSI stands with Inclusion Canada in demanding its immediate withdrawal.
“We join our colleagues at Inclusion Canada in calling for the repeal of Track 2 MAiD, which poses a real and dangerous threat to the lives of people with disabilities,” says Angela Clancy, Executive Director of the Family Support Institute of BC. “The right to live with dignity and support is not a privilege for a few—it is a fundamental human right for everyone. We cannot continue to allow discriminatory practices to dictate the lives of vulnerable Canadians.”
FSI also strongly endorses the CRPD Committee’s recommendation to raise the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), which has been described as “woefully inadequate.” For families in BC and across the country, this financial support often falls short of meeting basic needs and access to essential services, creating unnecessary barriers to inclusion and well-being. Families have long voiced concerns that the lack of adequate financial assistance leaves them unable to provide the care and opportunities their loved ones deserve.
In addition, FSI supports the CRPD Committee’s call for a national inclusive education action plan and the creation of accessible, inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. These measures are critical for ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as others to fully participate in society. By prioritizing inclusive education and employment, we can begin to dismantle the systemic barriers that have long excluded people with disabilities from meaningful participation in everyday life.
“The CRPD’s recommendations are not just a reflection of what people with disabilities have been saying for years—they are a call to action,” says Clancy. “For too long, people with disabilities and their families have been left behind. Now is the time for real, tangible change. We must work together to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are fully realized and respected.”
The Family Support Institute of BC stands with Inclusion Canada in urging all levels of government—federal, provincial, and territorial—to take immediate action to implement the CRPD Committee’s recommendations. We are committed to collaborating with government officials, advocacy organizations, and families to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld and that Canada becomes a leader in disability rights globally.
Read Inclusion Canada’s response to the UN CRPD Committee’s review here: https://inclusioncanada.ca/2025/03/26/do-better-inclusion-canada-welcomes-un-committees-concluding-observations-on-canadas-disability-rights-record/
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About Family Support Institute of BC:
The Family Support Institute (FSI) supports families who have family members with disabilities and mental health challenges. FSI is unique in Canada and is the only grass-roots, family-to-family support organization. FSI believes families are the best resource to support one another and the most vital voice for their family members. FSI supports all families with children of all ages, disabilities, and concurrent conditions. FSI’s supports are free to any family.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Angela Clancy
Executive Director
Family Support Institute of BC
(604) 540-8374 ext 6
