To:
The Honourable Minister of Health
The Honourable Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services
The Premier of Alberta
Members of the Legislative Assembly
Background:
Alberta has a dark history of eugenics, and today, that legacy continues through prenatal screening policies that put extreme pressure on moms to abort children diagnosed with disabilities like Down syndrome. Many Alberta mothers have reported being misinformed, coerced, or even shamed by healthcare providers after receiving their child's diagnosis.
Albertans deserve a healthcare system that supports informed choice, rejects discrimination, and affirms the dignity of every person. We urge the Government of Alberta to lead with compassion, integrity, and courage.
We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Alberta to take immediate action to ensure that prenatal care in Alberta affirms the value of every human life—including those with disabilities—and protects the rights of pregnant women to make informed, pressure-free medical decisions.
We call for the following six actions:
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Improve Informed Consent
Ensure that all pregnant women receive clear, accurate, and balanced information about prenatal testing, its purpose, and its risks—developed in collaboration with disability advocacy organizations. -
Train Healthcare Providers
Encourage the use of respectful, non-directive language when discussing prenatal diagnoses. Medical staff should avoid negative or fear-inducing language that devalues children with disabilities. -
Require Lived Experience in Genetic Counsellor Training
Require that genetic counsellors in Alberta engage directly with individuals living with disabilities as part of their professional preparation. -
Respect Doctors’ Conscience Rights
Affirm the right of physicians to practice in accordance with their ethical convictions, provided that patients are given appropriate referrals and information. -
Monitor Trends and Assess Impacts
Collect and publish data on prenatal testing, live births of children with disabilities, and the use of NIPT to assess whether Alberta’s policies are leading to discriminatory outcomes. -
Affirm the Value of All Lives
Publicly support families raising children with disabilities. Ensure that Alberta’s healthcare, education, and employment systems are inclusive and supportive of all people, regardless of ability.