Writer / Playwright / Disability Ethicist
Joined February 2013
- Tweets377
- Following138
- Followers344
- Likes214
Heidi Janz retweeted
1/10 I’ve long assumed Parliament spends almost all its disability time on MAiD, so I tested it. I analyzed every House of Commons speech since the 2019 Truchon decision, 257,640 of them, and wrote my tests down before counting. MAiD leads, with about a third of that time.
ALT Image: tile 1, “Two ways to count” Alt text: Bar chart titled “MAiD led Parliament’s disability time. How much depends on what you count.” December 2019 to October 2026. MAiD’s share of House of Commons floor time on disability priorities: 33%. MAiD’s share of committee hours on disability bills and studies in both chambers: about 77%, estimated. Source: every House of Commons speech in Hansard, via OpenParliament, with committee hours from minutes and LEGISinfo.
Heidi Janz retweeted
Some Canadian docs reveal missionary zeal to slander/attack those who criticize MAID & warn about tension w medical ethos, especially those w public voice. This doc tweets 3 derogatory comments on 1 article, here w hate-speech level simplification, ignoring state responsibility
Heidi Janz retweeted
PLS SHARE: AMBER Alert for Calgary for missing Parker. Pls call 911 if seen.
Although Parker is 11, authorities say he functions at approximately the level of a two- to three-year-old child. He is non-verbal, may be frightened and may not respond when called.
ALT Photo of Parker, an 11-year-old boy with short brown hair and brown eyes, sitting indoors and wearing large black noise-cancelling headphones. He is wearing a blue, green and black Minecraft shirt and looking toward the camera.
Heidi Janz retweeted
From the AMAD (MAiD) report released today.
Recommendation 1:
That the Government of Canada amend the Criminal Code to indefinitely exclude persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness from eligibility for medical assistance in dying.
parl.ca/Content/Committee/45…
Heidi Janz retweeted
When a self-declared ‘misinformation expert’ does not like the fact that a committee makes a recommendation based on evidence that contradicts his preference, there is always the option to use ‘rights’ language and claim constitutional expertise. As if rights fall from the sky
Bruce A. Johnson DIED because of ADAP.
Disabled Albertans warned the UCP gov't that this would happen. The gov't called us "fear mongers."
How many more disabled Albertans will have to DIE before they listen??
Extremely disappointing to see Mayor Farkas peddle misinformation about the Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) and disability supports in Alberta.
To be clear, by advocating against ADAP, Mayor Farkas and Calgary City Council are advocating against expanding disability income assistance to thousands of Albertans with disabilities who need support, but who are not eligible under the current one-size-fits-all approach.
ADAP will help Albertans with disabilities pursue meaningful employment while continuing to receive the financial, health and personal supports they need. ADAP’s benefit rate is among the highest in the country. In addition, this program will allow for the highest level of employment income in the country while receiving financial benefits, meaning Albertans on ADAP can earn more while continuing to receive the support they need.
To get the correct information about ADAP, go to: Alberta.ca/ADAP
Heidi Janz retweeted
It's not enough but it is something and if we don't recognize the partial and small wins we won't survive, so good job everyone. 🙏
parl.ca/Content/Committee/45…
Report of the Special Joint Committee
on Medical Assistance in Dying
ALT RECOMMENDATION As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the Senate, the House of Commons or the Government. A recommendation related to this study is listed below. Recommendation 1 That the Government of Canada amend the Criminal Code to indefinitely exclude persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness from eligibility for medical assistance in dying.
Heidi Janz retweeted
"members of the AMAD parliamentary committee agreed to ask the 🇨🇦 Association of MAID Assessors & Providers (CAMAP) for its curriculum module about MAID and mental disorders.
CAMAP has not given the committee this curriculum — and says it has no plans to do so"
@meagangillmore
MAID educator refuses to provide its curriculum to parliamentary committee canadianaffairs.news/2026/06… @CDNAffairs
↷ canadahealthwatch.ca/feature… 🍁
Heidi Janz retweeted
Parliament asked CAMAP for the curriculum to train MAID assessors for mental illness.
The organization said it’s “impossible” to provide it—and won’t make it public.
Health Canada gave 3.3 million dollars to CAMAP for its curriculum development.
Transparency shouldn't be optional.
@meagangillmore
canadianaffairs.news/2026/06…
My latest substack post, which I'm sure will get the MAID enthusiasts up in arms... AGAIN.
As my Mama would say "Na ja..." ("Oh well...")
Evidence or Anecdote? open.substack.com/pub/heidij…
I find it ironic that the testimony of disabled people who testified about the dangers of expanding MAID to pwd who aren't at end-of-life in hearings on Bill C-7 was labelled as "anecdotal" by some of the same people who now want "evidence" from people with "lived experience."
Heidi Janz retweeted
The Federal Government is now considering expanding Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) regime again when a section of the law already discriminates against persons with disabilities.
Instead of being offered assisted death people with disabilities deserve access to economic, social and community-based supports to live a good life - the same as every other citizen
Inclusion Canada CEO Krista Carr was interviewed recently by the BBC and included in this story. Canada’s elected officials should repeal Track 2 MAiD and commit to helping improve lives instead of ending them.
bbc.com/news/articles/c78qzp…
Heidi Janz retweeted
A very sharp commentary on media coverage of recent parliamentary hearings & problematic push of #MAID for mental illness by @AsfDomini . Also a thoughtful reminder of where we heard the word 'mercy' used in this context before... petermenzies.substack.com/p/…
The tide may be turning, as more recognize the ableism at the (dead) heart of MAID.
National Post nationalpost.com/news/canada… via @nationalpost
National Post nationalpost.com/news/canada… via @nationalpost
The tide may be turning, as more recognize the ableism at the (dead) heart of MAID.
National Post nationalpost.com/news/canada… via @nationalpost
Pro-MAID AMAD Committee Members, Reality Check: The fact that the testimony presented does not confirm your own ideological bias DOES NOT mean that it lacked rigour or credibility.
VERY excited to FINALLY have my research paper for CARDUS on the need for a Christian ethic of disability in the context of MAID out in the world!
For Such a Time as This cardus.ca/research/for-such-…
Heidi Janz retweeted
MUST READ. @CatherineFrazee just published a paper documenting her experiences during her 2-yr engagement w the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers [CAMAP]. It is damning. Plausible deniability is off-the-table for those at helm of MAID.
cjds.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/…
Heidi Janz retweeted
I'm not a social scientist but when I look at Canada's suicide numbers they have not gone down post MAiD even with 15,000 MAiD deaths in a year. So even if this were a plausible argument (which it's not) it's not even accurate.
Important article by Meagan Gilmore.
Mixed signals: Alberta limits MAID and scales back disability supports canadianaffairs.news/2026/04… via @CDNAffairs
