Thread by @KristopherWells

#Bill207 is now back before committee. Dr. Ramona Coelho is speaking on behalf of UCP & defending conscience rights. What she fails to recognize is that doctors hold the power and must act in the patient's best interest, not their own - even if it makes them uncomfortable.

Why is this doctor from Ontario speaking about a Bill that impacts Albertans? Context is different. Culture is different. Politics are clearly different.

There is no centralized intake for trans patients in Alberta, like Ontario. This doctor has no idea what she's talking about. Clearly, this shows the danger of Bill 207.

Even the UCP witness states that Alberta already has the necessary protections in place for doctors. So why again is Bill 207 necessary?

WRONG. WRONG. WRONG. This isn't about protecting doctors. It must always be about protecting patients! #Bill207

Next up: Dr. Herx who is currently Director of Palliative Care in Kingston. She's formerly from Alberta.

She says M.A.I.D is in direct conflict with the values of palliative care.

I think many patients would strongly disagree with her assessment.

Once again UCP witnesses affirm the current standard of practice works very well. Only argument is to codify in law just in case standards might one day change.

However, Bill 207 goes much farther and impacts 28 regulated health professions. It also would dismiss any complaints.

Wow. Now the UCP member thinks there is the potential for reverse discrimination under the Charter. Time to go back to school. That's not how the Charter works. There is no such thing as "reverse discrimination."

.@JanisIrwin is concerned about vulnerable patients who need referrals. She asks how this bill protects vulnerable patients?

Once again such misunderstanding. There is no reconciliation of doctor and patient rights. The courts have clearly ruled that patient rights always supersede. This isn't about balance. Doctors are fiduciaries who must always act in best interests of patients.

Dr. Williams now speaking and expressing full support for #Bill207 and cites some mythic "balance of freedoms" which exists no where in law.

@JanisIrwin Dr. Williams gives a hypothetical example, but says she isn't supporting or endorsing it... yet she goes on to talk about conversion therapy. Such utter nonsense.

@JanisIrwin Now @JanisIrwin challenges back with real life examples of people who have been denied actual care. We need to be worried about the most vulnerable who won't be able to get any referrals under this Bill.

@JanisIrwin .@janisirwin states, In 2019, women are being turned away from health care in rural Alberta. This Bill will make things much worse.

@JanisIrwin It's simple. If you can't practice medicine without discrimination or prejudice because of your conscience, you shouldn't be a doctor or a health care professional.

@JanisIrwin .@pancholi_rakhi is on fire. She's concerned about protected Charter rights that have moved our society forward, not backwards like #Bill207 would do.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Now the straw argument that if conscience rights are not protected in law, physicians will leave Alberta and rural communities on exodus and go elsewhere.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Williams fears becoming a "technician of the state" without legal protections for conscience rights. Funny, it's the state that pays your salary to deliver bias free health care. That's why protections for patients are in place in the first place.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Up next Dr. Ratti from Calgary. She speaks on behalf of 200 physicians who signed an opinion letter who do not support #Bill207. She says the majority of physicians in Alberta also oppose.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi "Make no mistake [patient abandonment] is happening in Alberta" and will only get worse if they can't make a complaint.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Ratti: This Bill should not be about the needs of the most privileged, but the most vulnerable.

She nailed it. Powerfully and eloquently. #Bill207 #ableg #abpoli #abhealth

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Ratti relates how many pharmacists in Alberta will not currently provide the abortion pill when it is prescribed by a physician.

This is already happening prior to Bill 207 even being implemented. Barriers already acutely exist. We don't need more of them.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Ratti says this Bill is about re-opening a discussion about reproductive rights. If you're going to talk about conscience rights, you also need to talk to pro-choice providers which this government hasn't done.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi The privileged always have the power over the vulnerable. It's how you wield that power that is important. Referral without judgement should be the very minimum requirement.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Let's put this discussion in simple terms:

A police officer can't act on their conscience beliefs and deny service, so why should a doctor? Both hold tremendous power over others.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Ratti says the best standard is the one in Ontario (which was upheld by the Courts). The current Alberta policies are more than adequate and already represent a difficult compromise.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Ratti suggests #Bill207 is motivated by cynical politics and opening up divisive debates. It's not about physician's rights at all.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Ratti calls #Bill207 a "bait and switch." It's well known that conscience rights are used by anti-abortion groups to reopen divisive debates.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Dr. Ratti fiercely rejects the comparison of abortion to eugenics alluded to by UCP MLA Schow.

I can't believe he actually went there. Wow.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi Next Up is @TESAonlineorg who says they can't believe they have to be here once again to fight for the rights of transgender people in Alberta.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg .@TESAonlineorg calls #Bill207 nothing more than state-sanctioned legalized discrimination.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg .@TESAonlineorg relates how basic health care services are being currently denied to trans Albertans. Bill 207 will only amplify these concerns by removing any right to file a complaint.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg .@TESAonlineorg says to kill this Bill. The recommendation should be to have this bill withdrawn as it is not necessary.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg .@pancholi_rakhi says "you can't fix a bill that is clearly flawed."

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg Now up Dying with Dignity Canada: We believe #Bill207 will impede M.A.I.D. in Alberta. The weight of the burden to access health care should not be on the backs of the most vulnerable.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg It is unconscionable to take away the right to make a complaint, especially for those who are suffering in acute circumstances.

We cannot place the conscience rights of institutions over those accessing care.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg 80% of Albertans support access to M.A.I.D. in publicly-funded facilities.

Bill 207 is clearly against the will of the public.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg Another problematic element of #Bill207 is how it will grant conscience rights to institutions. This will only cause more barriers to access, especially in Catholic hospitals.

We're hearing heartbreaking and devastating stories of Albertans who have been discriminated against.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg Accessing M.A.I.D in Alberta is already a difficult process, which is already full of checks and balances. #Bill207 will only complicate that process and make it more difficult. This is egregious for patients who are already suffering.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg Now full committee discussion on #Bill207.

@pancholi_rakhi says Bill is fundamentally flawed and is not ready to move forward. Even the mover of the Bill recognizes the issues and wants several amendments.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg There clearly is no problem that needs to be fixed by this Bill. The current standard of practice in place is more than adequate.

Our obligation is to look out for the most vulnerable Albertans.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg MLA Schow says he believes in conscience rights and we need to "find a happy balance". Conscience is not something you leave behind.

He recognizes division on this Bill, yet wants it to go forward to the legislature floor for debate.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg MLA @JanisIrwin says this process has been rushed. Bill is fundamentally flawed and completely unnecessary.

Think about what Albertans are saying. This is about fundamental human rights and they are at risk with Bill 207.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg MLA Glasgo says she has received 500 emails in support of the Bill and less than 50 in opposition. She says we are stronger if we have our own conscience rights.

"My views align with my constituents."

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg MLA @LoriSigurdson questions the very definition of conscience rights in the Bill, which is found no where else in the country.

Remember, this Bill impacts more than doctors. 28 professions are included in this Bill. It is far reaching and unethical.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson First UCP to dissent. MLA Nate Horner says he cannot support this Bill to go forward.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson MLA @ChrisNielsenNDP says we cannot have a system that does not allow complaints to go forward. Legislators shouldn't interfere with self-regulating bodies.

We want to improve access, not impede it.

This is a flawed Bill in its current language.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson @ChrisNielsenNDP MLA Nixon says he is a firm believer in conscience rights, but also says he is a strong supporter of open access and non-discrimination in health care.

The Bill is too sweeping and opens the door to many unintended consequences. I will not vote in support.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson @ChrisNielsenNDP MLA Neudorf says he will not vote to accept this Bill in its current form. That makes three UCP members against.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson @ChrisNielsenNDP MLA Horner says he has received emails in the thousands and our ethic like health care professionals should be to "do no harm". As such, I am not prepared to recommend this Bill to the floor.

That makes 4 UCP members now against #Bill207.

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson @ChrisNielsenNDP MLA @JanisIrwin moves the motion to Kill #Bill207.

8 for and 2 against. UCP MLA Schow and MLA Glasgo vote against.

This is a victory for the most vulnerable. Let's make sure this never comes back again in Alberta. #ableg #abpoli #abhealth

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson @ChrisNielsenNDP Congratulations to all Albertans who protested, spoke out, emailed & called their MLAs. #Bill207 has died in committee.

This is a victory for an inclusive public health care system.

This is victory for human rights & the protection of the most vulnerable. ❤️🏳️‍🌈 #abpoli #ableg

@JanisIrwin @pancholi_rakhi @TESAonlineorg @LoriSigurdson @ChrisNielsenNDP To paraphrase Maya Angelou:

our fight is not yet over,
we will still persist,
we will still rise,
in diversity there is beauty and strength.

#ableg #abpoli #abhealth