Inclusion Alberta

04/01/2026

We are thrilled to share that our friends at WestJet have generously donated one roundtrip flight for two guests to any regularly scheduled and marketed WestJet destination*. We will be raffling off this incredible prize, with all proceeds supporting Inclusion Alberta.

A heartfelt thank you to WestJet for their kindness and continued community support.

Funds raised through this raffle will help us further support individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families across Alberta.

Draw date is Saturday, April 18th. Get tickets here: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/inclusionalberta-2026 Thank you for your support and good luck!

03/30/2026

Our CEO, Trish Bowman, wrote an important op‑ed on why Alberta’s introduction of Bill 18 marks a critical step toward protecting the lives, dignity, and equal worth of persons with disabilities.
Bill 18 would end the discriminatory Track 2 MAiD pathway, ensuring that people with disabilities whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable are not offered assisted death instead of the supports they need to live meaningful lives. This aligns with long‑standing concerns raised by disability communities across Canada and echoes repeated warnings from the United Nations about the risks posed by expanding MAiD to non‑terminal situations.
Read the full op‑ed here : https://inclusionalberta.org/curated-news-content/

03/26/2026

Last week we introduced Bill 18 to draw a clear line – medical assistance in dying must never replace care.

My thanks to Inclusion Canada and Inclusion Alberta for their support and for reinforcing why this legislation is needed now.

"Inclusion Canada welcomes the legislation tabled today by the Government of Alberta regarding medical assistance in dying. Canada's assisted dying law currently allows people who are not at end of life to receive MAiD. The United Nations has stated unequivocally that this practice violates the rights of persons with disabilities and should be repealed. We urge the Government of Canada to amend the Criminal Code so that assisted death is limited to people who are nearing end of life, and is never extended to people with mental illness or mature minors."
Krista Carr, CEO, Inclusion Canada

“Track 2 MAID discriminates against persons with disabilities and reinforces dangerous stereotypes about the worth of their lives. Bill 18 is a correction. It would protect Albertans with disabilities from discrimination by ensuring Alberta’s health system does not provide assisted su***de to people whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable.”
Trish Bowman, CEO, Inclusion Alberta

03/26/2026

Tickets are on sale for the 2026 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference, happening April 17-18 at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton!
The Inclusion Alberta Family Conference happens yearly in Edmonton, and is a time when individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, allies and support staff as well as those working in the disability and education fields to come together and learn to support the inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
There are workshops and sessions on various disability-related topics on both Friday and Saturday, as well as evening events where you can socialize and connect with others on both nights.
Tickets are on sale now and there are a variety of options from full Conference passes to Friday workshop only and Saturday only.
Learn more and get tickets at: https://inclusionalberta.org/2026-inclusion-alberta.../

03/24/2026

Bonnie Brayton of DAWN Canada writes with iPOLITICS about Alberta’s move to introduce legislation ending the discriminatory Track 2 MAID pathway that singles out persons with disabilities, allowing the provision of MAiD only when death is foreseeable. This is required in response to the alarming harms Track 2 has caused, especially for women with disabilities.

She underscores how systemic ableism, poverty, and gender‑based violence have made MAID Track 2 a deadly pathway rather than a meaningful choice.

https://inclusionalberta.org/curated-news-content/

03/24/2026

Congratulations to Roy Skoreyko on joining the National Task Force on Deinstitutionalization. Roy’s experience of being institutionalized in the Michener Centre as a young child and his commitment to protecting others from experiencing that harm has propelled over 35 years of advocacy for the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities. Read about Roy's advocacy here:
https://mailchi.mp/peoplefirstofcanada/institution-watch-february-2026

03/20/2026

“This is about the value and worth of people with disabilities, and whether we believe that’s worth fighting for.” Inclusion Alberta CEO Trish Bowman was interviewed on Real Talk Ryan Jesperson about how Alberta’s Bill 18’s protects the lives and equal worth of persons with disabilities, ensuring persons with disabilities are no longer singled out within Alberta’s health system for the discriminatory pathway to Track 2 Medical Assistance in Dying. Listen to the episode to learn more about why nationwide, the disability community has united to call for the end to Track 2 MAiD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snKQFVwFBfQ

03/20/2026

The latest Alberta government news announcements.

03/19/2026

Inclusion Alberta and our allies have had the opportunity to speak to news outlets across the country and beyond in regard to Bill 18’s changes to Track 2 MAiD. We have compiled a media list, and we encourage you to read/listen/watch here: https://inclusionalberta.org/curated-news-content/ We will be continuing to update this regularly as they become available.

CBC Edmonton (Oct. 4, 2025): Parents of children with disabilities scramble for supports ahead of Alberta teachers strike

03/18/2026

*Media Release: Inclusion Alberta welcomes Bill 18 as a critical step toward protecting the lives and rights of persons with disabilities*

Today, Inclusion Alberta welcomes the introduction of Bill 18, legislation that would ensure Alberta’s health system does not provide Track 2 MAiD (assisted su***de for persons with disabilities whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable).

Track 2 MAiD has caused deep concern across Canada’s disability community, as it reinforces the harmful stereotypes. We shouldn’t have assisted su***de for some people and su***de prevention for others. Life with a disability is a life worth living. If people are suffering, they need support.

We commend Alberta for taking leadership and listening to persons with disabilities, families, advocates, and organizations across the country.

Read our full media release: https://inclusionalberta.org/connections/media-release-inclusion-alberta-welcomes-bill-18-as-a-critical-step-toward-protecting-the-lives-and-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/

03/17/2026

Inclusion Alberta’s Rotary Employment Partnership is creating life-changing job opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities while providing an untapped labour market to Alberta’s business community. The partnership has created over 950 jobs to date in diverse fields such as trades, hospitality, manufacturing, childcare, culinary, the arts and office administration. Real work for real pay.

As hockey season ramps up and Grand Villa Casino buzzes with activity from games and concerts next door, Dean is proud to be part of the action in his new role as a Busser/Porter with Match Eatery & Public House. His supervisor, Taranvir Singh, shared, “Dean is a great worker. He completes his assigned duties well and consistently finishes tasks on time. He takes responsibility for his work and can be relied upon to accomplish what is assigned to him. We are proud of his achievements and growth during his time with us.”

Dean plays an important role in setting up beer carts for events, keeping the casino floor clean and welcoming for guests, and helping ensure patrons have an exceptional experience. Dean shared, “I am really happy and proud of myself, and so is my whole family. I am proud of how far I have come and how well I have done in this job.”

With his positive attitude, sociable nature, and strong work ethic, Dean contributes to a welcoming atmosphere and is a valued member of the team. Taranvir Singh added, “We wish him the very best in his career with us and look forward to continuing to support his development.”

Congratulations Dean on your great new job, and Grand Villa Casino on your excellent new hire!

Join inclusive businesses like Grand Villa Casino to take action to open doors, build inclusive workforces, and tap into an often-overlooked talent pool. Learn more about how you can tap into a valuable labour market by becoming an inclusive employer through the Rotary Employment Partnership: https://inclusionalberta.org/what-we-do/inclusive-employment/rotary-employment-partnership/

03/16/2026

Tickets are on sale for the 2026 Inclusion Alberta Family Conference, happening April 17-18 at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton!

The Inclusion Alberta Family Conference happens yearly in Edmonton, and is a time when individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, allies and support staff as well as those working in the disability and education fields to come together and learn to support the inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

There are workshops and sessions on various disability-related topics on both Friday and Saturday, as well as evening events where you can socialize and connect with others on both nights.

Tickets are on sale now and there are a variety of options from full Conference passes to Friday workshop only and Saturday only.

Learn more and get tickets at: https://inclusionalberta.org/2026-inclusion-alberta-family-conference/