Submissions

To: Ministry of Health
Date: September 2024

Purpose

The submission’s purpose is to advocate for the equity and protection of disabled people within the End-of-Life Choice Act (EOLC Act) review, specifically opposing the expansion of assisted dying criteria and strengthening safeguards.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA expressed deep concerns about any expansion of eligibility criteria for assisted dying due to the significant risks it poses to disabled people. DPA highlights that disabled people are disproportionately vulnerable to violence, neglect, and abuse, and face systemic discrimination, low incomes, and recent cuts to vital support services, which could lead to coercion or feelings of being a 'burden' when considering assisted dying. The submission advocates for upholding disabled people's right to live a good life with adequate support as a priority over expanding assisted dying.
 
It also recommends retaining all existing safeguards within the EOLC Act, introducing a seven-day cooling-off period after approval, and ensuring that assisted dying requests are kept entirely separate from end-of-life directives to prevent unintended or coerced decisions. Additionally, DPA calls for mandatory disability responsiveness training for all personnel involved in the assisted dying system and advocates for proper funding and resourcing of palliative care options.
 
Key Recommendation:

That the current assisted dying regime remains in place with no further expansion in the eligibility criteria.
 
Supporting Statement 1:

Expanding eligibility increases the risk of disabled people being coerced, bullied, or manipulated into assisted dying, particularly given the existing imbalance of power, high rates of violence and abuse they face, and recent cuts to essential disability support services.
 
Supporting Statement 2:

Many disabled people already struggle with low incomes and systemic discrimination in accessing basic necessities and services, meaning any extension of the Act could lead them to choose assisted dying due to a lack of support for living a good life, rather than genuine, unpressured choice.