The term “effective referral” that was added to the draft policy is not acceptable. In Alberta we already have a solid framework for patients to access services they are looking for without requiring an “effective referral.” MAID itself is objectionable to many Albertans, including me. It targets the vulnerable when they are at their lowest. Rather than alternative treatments that have resulted in good success for others, they are offered the option of death. Adding the requirement that medical practitioners must provide "effective referrals" for a "treatment" that is not a treatment at all will result in patients not being offered opportunities for other treatments, and will compel medical practitioners to act in a way that is contrary to their beliefs and their rights.