As a specialty community legal clinic, ARCH’s systemic advocacy and law reform activities involve working alongside our communities in efforts to change laws and policies as well as analyzing and commenting on the impact of current and proposed laws and practices from a disability perspective. ARCH makes oral and written submissions to all levels of government, legislative committees, administrative bodies, tribunals, agencies, and human rights commissions.
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
In March 2021, Canada expanded eligibility for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). MAiD is no longer only for people who are near the end of life. People with disabilities, illnesses or diseases who are suffering and who meet the other criteria in the law can be found eligible and receive medically assisted death.
People with disabilities have died by MAiD because they are living in poverty, could not get healthy housing, specialized medical care or disability services they needed to live with dignity in the community. Canada’s MAiD law continues to cause deep distress for many disability communities in Ontario and across Canada. ARCH continues to work alongside disability communities to advocate for law reform and safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities.
Key Submissions, News & Publications on MAiD
- Aug 2024 (Journal Article): ARCH staff lawyer Kerri Joffe contributes testimonial statement & article to Canadian Journal of Disability Studies Special Issue: “Medical Assistance In Dying: Resistance in Canada”.
- Feb 2024 (Media Press Conference): Disability Rights Organizations urge Parliament not to expand MAiD to Mental Health Disabilities. Access CPAC Recording.
- Nov 2023 (Submission): Submission to Special Joint Committee on MAiD regarding study on MAiD for mental disorders. Access Submission.
- Oct 2023 (Media): ARCH lawyer interviewed on rise in MAiD deaths linked to health & housing barriers. Read Canadian Affairs Article.
- July 2023 (Book Chapter): Kerri Joffe & Roberto Lattanzio, “Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying Law and the Rights to Life and Equality at International Law” in MAID in Canada: Key Multidisciplinary Perspectives (Springer, 2023).
- March 2023 (Panel Response): Response to AMAD MAiD Report by Expert Witnesses. Download PDF Statement.
- Sept 2022 (International Hearing Request): Request to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for thematic hearing on MAiD discrimination. Read Coalition Request.
- May 2021 (UN Submission): ARCH submission to UN Human Rights Committee on Canada’s MAiD Law & International Law Rights. Download Submission Document.
- Nov 2020 (Senate Submission): Pre-study submission to Senate Standing Committee on Bill C-7. Read Senate Brief.
Latest MAiD Updates & Publications Feed
Civil Society Reporting to the United Nations
Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), State Parties agree to report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities regarding their implementation of CRPD rights. Civil society and Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) submit parallel reports to provide independent community perspectives.
ARCH served as co-coordinator of Canadian civil society participation in both reporting cycles, co-authoring and coordinating the 2016 and 2025 Canada Civil Society Parallel Reports presented to the UN Committee in Geneva, Switzerland.
2025 Civil Society Parallel Report
Prepared by a coalition of 53 Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs) across Canada for Canada’s 2nd and 3rd review by the UN CRPD Committee. Highlights Track Two MAiD, substitute decision-making, intersectional discrimination, and poverty.
2016 Civil Society Parallel Report
Prepared by an ad-hoc group of 16 Canadian DPOs for Canada’s 1st review by the CRPD Committee. Responded to priority areas in the Committee’s List of Issues and informed the inaugural 2017 Concluding Observations.
Latest UN CRPD Civil Society Feed
COVID-19 Disability Advocacy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ARCH Disability Law Centre published research, policy submissions, and legal toolkits to advocate for persons with disabilities facing systemic barriers across Education, Healthcare, Developmental Services, and Vaccine Distribution.
Explore COVID-19 Advocacy Resources
Access our dedicated repository of COVID-19 legal updates, hospital triage guidelines, accessible education rights, and vaccine priority advocacy documents.