The Canadian Bar Association held a two-day Health Law Summit on April 11 and 12, 2019 at the Fairmont in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The theme of the conference this year was “Health and Human Rights” and the speakers provided a diverse range of perspectives and explored the intersection of these important legal and social matters.
The Health Law Summit opened on Thursday with a panel on Age Discrimination and Health Care. The speakers on the panel included Candace Chartier, former CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Associate, Heather Palmer, national director of cognitive well-being at Amica Senior Lifestyles and Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network. Moderators Lisa Corrente, a lawyer at Torkin Manes LLP in Toronto and Melissa Rico, a lawyer at Calgary’s Carbert Waite LLP, led the panel in a dynamic discussion on the mischaracterization of medical conditions in the elderly, common stereotypes, attitudes and misconceptions among health care providers and the impact on the provision of health care. The panel also discussed accommodation, services and funding in health care facilities and common barriers the Canadian elderly population too frequently face.
The panel, Think Before you Spit, included Bailey Harris, a lawyer at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman in Winnipeg, Charles Murray, a lawyer at Manitoba Justice, and Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, a physician and academic clinician at the University of Manitoba.They provided an insightful analysis of DNA testing and the 2017 Genetic Non-Discrimination Act. Moderated by Sheila Caston, a lawyer at McKercher LLP in Saskatoon, and Alex Wilbee, a lawyer at WeirFoulds LLP in Toronto, this panel examined the constitutionality of the federal legislation and the usefulness of genetic testing for medical reasons and DIY DNA testing kits.
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