Trudeau government removes barriers to suicide, endangering the most vulnerable
There is no longer a waiting period. Independent oversight has been reduced.
And those who try to withdraw their consent to be killed can be ignored.
And those who try to withdraw their consent to be killed can be ignored.
February 26, 2020 (Canadian Physicians for Life) - On Monday, the federal government introduced changes to the Criminal Code
that went much further than the Truchon case required.
The preamble to the MAiD Extension Bill recognizes the importance of protecting vulnerable people from
incentives to end their lives, but does nothing to support this laudable goal.
In fact, many of the safeguards surrounding the AMMD are being removed, putting vulnerable people at increasing risk.
This bill undermines the confidence that vulnerable people should be able to have in the medical profession.
that went much further than the Truchon case required.
The preamble to the MAiD Extension Bill recognizes the importance of protecting vulnerable people from
incentives to end their lives, but does nothing to support this laudable goal.
In fact, many of the safeguards surrounding the AMMD are being removed, putting vulnerable people at increasing risk.
This bill undermines the confidence that vulnerable people should be able to have in the medical profession.
The fact that there is no longer a waiting period is a concern. You can be diagnosed and killed in a single day.
Independent oversight has been reduced. Now, only one signature is required and the people who care foryou can be your
"independent" witness.
Even if a person tries to withdraw consent, there is no mechanism to ensure that their wishes are respected.
In fact, there is an exemption that characterizes non-verbal withdrawal of consent as a reactionto touch,
allowing euthanasia to proceed unimpeded.
Pro-MAiD health care providers don't wait for people to talk about the possibility of MAiD - in fact (see Taylor's story below),
they encourage individuals to pursue this option. They made a hole in section 241 of the Criminal Code,
which makes it an offence to advise a person to commit suicide.
Independent oversight has been reduced. Now, only one signature is required and the people who care foryou can be your
"independent" witness.
Even if a person tries to withdraw consent, there is no mechanism to ensure that their wishes are respected.
In fact, there is an exemption that characterizes non-verbal withdrawal of consent as a reactionto touch,
allowing euthanasia to proceed unimpeded.
Pro-MAiD health care providers don't wait for people to talk about the possibility of MAiD - in fact (see Taylor's story below),
they encourage individuals to pursue this option. They made a hole in section 241 of the Criminal Code,
which makes it an offence to advise a person to commit suicide.
We are all vulnerable when we are sick, alone or at the end of our lives. It is when we are the most vulnerablethat we need our health care professionals to walk with us.
There are no provisions in this bill that allow individuals to look for physicians who will not advise MAiD as a treatment option. Since paragraph 241 (9) of the Criminal Code is completely ignored in practice [paragraph 241 (9) states that no person will be required to participate or provide the WMA], it is a major failure that puts us all at risk.
This bill is not yet law. There are many opportunities in a minority government to makeprogress with
legislators and get amendments to this bill.
We will continue to work this issue so that effective death is not integrated into our medical system.
We will advocate for the protection of health professionals practising in the Hippocratic tradition so
that patients can trust the care they receive.
There are no provisions in this bill that allow individuals to look for physicians who will not advise MAiD as a treatment option. Since paragraph 241 (9) of the Criminal Code is completely ignored in practice [paragraph 241 (9) states that no person will be required to participate or provide the WMA], it is a major failure that puts us all at risk.
This bill is not yet law. There are many opportunities in a minority government to makeprogress with
legislators and get amendments to this bill.
We will continue to work this issue so that effective death is not integrated into our medical system.
We will advocate for the protection of health professionals practising in the Hippocratic tradition so
that patients can trust the care they receive.
