Barrier Free Saskatchewan                                         

“Let’s be accessible”

Endorse BFSK at barrierfreesaskatchewan.org

September 20, 2021

RE: Life Threatening Critical Triage Protocol

Honourable Scott Moe

Room 226 2405 Legislative Drive

Regina, SK, S4S 0B3>
premier@gov.sk.ca

1 (306) 787-9433

Dear Honourable Moe,

Barrier Free Saskatchewan (BFSK) continues to be gravely concerned with the province’s Critical Medical Triage Protocol. We believe that life threatening critical medical triage will or is already occurring due to the current number of alarming high covid cases during the fourth wave of the pandemic.  Hence, the question remains whether there will be discrimination based on disability and/or ageism when rationing or triaging life saving critical medical care.

BFSK is extremely uneasy with the understanding that if any of our members and the disability community as a whole need medical care at the hospital during the current state of the pandemic, they will be sent home to die based on the Medical Triage Protocol of Saskatchewan.

BFSK previously sent you letters on February 1, 2021, and April 23, 2021, outlining our concerns. To date we have not had a satisfactory response.  Therefore, we are insistent that you, Premier Moe, urgently respond to our concerns and assure Saskatchewan citizens with Lived Experience the medical triage protocol of this province will not discriminate.

BFSK once more wants to emphasize that any critical medical triage protocol must not be determined by disability, assumed life expectancy, or a decision/judgment based on a bias of life’s “worth.”  No committee, medical staff, or physician has the rights to make decisions based on categories such as disability. Any such decision would be discriminatory and contribute to eugenics.

The province of Saskatchewan is currently involved in the creation of an Accessibility Act. An Act that ensures that persons with disabilities have the same dignity and rights as all other citizens in the province. Abiding by a Critical Medical Triage Protocol that does not value the life of persons with disabilities of all ages would indicate that the effort towards the creation of the Saskatchewan Abilities Act is performative at best. BFSK hopes this is not the case and that the upcoming Saskatchewan Abilities Act is valid, beneficial, and will save the lives of members of Saskatchewan’s disability community. Ensuring that persons with disabilities will be triaged safely is a step in the right direction to indicate the sincerity of the implementation of a Saskatchewan Accessibility Act.

Furthermore, Barrier Free Saskatchewan wants assurances that our government prevents disability discrimination within the Critical Medical Triage Protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect guarantees from you that care will occur on a first come first serve basis without placing persons with disabilities of all ages lower on the list for receiving care.

Subsequently, we demand the following:

Ø  Triage Protocols are updated and regularly reviewed so that all biases, myths, and judgements concerning disabled persons of any age be removed.

Ø  The Critical Medical Triage Protocol is open and transparent and most of all made available and public to all citizens of Saskatchewan.

Ø  The current Critical Medical Triage is sent to Barrier Free Saskatchewan effective immediately. This is our third request on this matter. This request has not been addressed nor has the protocol been made public.

As you recently stated, “the people of Saskatchewan have lost their patience.” It is now time to do what is right for all Saskatchewan citizens.  Premier Moe,  it is time you  speak up for disability rights and our lives. It is time for you to guarantee our safety.

Remember, Nothing About Us Without Us!

Yours truly,

Robin East

President

Barrier Free Saskatchewan

Cc:         Minister of health  Minister Paul Merimen he.minister@gov.sk.ca

Minister Carr ss.minister@gov.sk.ca

Disability Critic – Meara Conway  mconway@ndpcaucus.sk.ca