Advocacy Update 2026: Progress, priorities, and what you can do
Webinars | August 26, 2026
Drew Woodley, Director, Government Relations, and Helen Long, CEO of Dying With Dignity Canada, provided an in-depth advocacy update covering DWDC’s top priorities including advance requests, medical assistance in dying (MAID) and mental illness, institutional religious obstructions (IROs), MAID legislation in Alberta, and the legal challenges underway. They also provided a walkthrough of the DWDC Advocacy Toolkit and Action Guide, giving you everything you need to feel confident to meet with your MP or MPP/MLA.
Speakers
Helen Long, CEO of Dying With Dignity Canada since March 2020. Helen is proud to lead a team dedicated to providing compassionate support to people across Canada while engaging on the most pressing issues related to end-of-life choice today.
Helen’s career has spanned achievements in advocacy, public relations, governance, and organizational excellence at organizations including the Canadian Health Food Association, ALS Canada, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Dufferin Child and Family Services.
Drew Woodley, Director of Government Relations at Dying with Dignity Canada. In this role he will coordinate DWDC’s strategic engagement with all levels of government, political parties, and key external stakeholders. Drew brings a variety of experience in government relations and communications roles at non-profit organizations, where he has advocated to government in support of issues from improved patient care to animal welfare. He has also worked in political, constituency, and labour environments dealing, directly with government officials and the public. Fun Fact: outside of DWDC, Drew volunteers as a Medical First Responder, providing first aid coverage to community events in Toronto.
