August 22, 2007

HAND DELIVERED

The Honourable Mr. Ron Stevens, QC

Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Room # 208, Legislature Building

10800 – 97 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6

Dear Mr. Minister:

Request for a Public Inquiry to Address the Following:

A physician, has a powerful quasi-judicial position in society by virtue of the reliance on his assessments by the judicial system, in that his assessment can lead to the detaining of lawful citizens behind locked doors, and removal of property and human rights.

The current standards required for a physician in the performance of his assessment are not well defined. We believe that if the judiciary is to rely on a physician’s assessment, specific standards and criteria must be developed for the exercise and documentation of a physician’s assessment. These should include cross examination of the physician or documentation/ affidavit testimony which outlines the process which was followed as well as practical avenues for the appeal and review of that assessment.

Many seniors are being abused through the process that declares them incompetent to look after their finances and personal decisions.

Therefore we ask your government to hold a Public Inquiry to:

1. allow hearings across the province of persons who have been victimized by a process that has no safe, definitive guidelines rto ensure a fair, ethical assessment. The hearings should include those Alberta citizens who are detained behind locked doors who wish to be heard
2. establish legislated criteria and standards to govern the assessment protocol, that recognizes constitutional rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
3. establish practical avenues of accessible, appeal protocol.
4. establish penalties for those who are in breach of legislation.
5. a definitive time line in regard to these undertakings.

Thank you.

Respectfully submitted,

Elder Advocates of Alberta Society

Tags: Public Inquiry, Ron Stevens