Bishops of Canada Urge Government to Reject MAiD Expansion and Oppose Euthanasia and Call for Protection of Conscience Rights
Thursday, May 12 2022
Earlier this week, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted a brief to the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). The Committee is currently conducting a “statutory review of the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to Medical Assistance in Dying and their application”, which includes issues relating to mature minors, advance requests, mental illness, the state of palliative care in Canada, and the protection of Canadians with disabilities.
The CCCB’s brief reaffirms its position unequivocally opposing any form of euthanasia and assisted suicide and that “the legal expansion of eligibility for MAiD will only serve to erode the respect for the essential dignity of the human person and the common good of society, which must be committed to protecting and safeguarding vulnerable individuals and those without a voice.”
The CCCB’s brief highlights how “the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic has heightened our awareness of the importance of reaching out to those on the margins of society and in vulnerable stages or circumstances in their life.”
The CCCB’s submission urges Parliament i) to reject the expansion of the eligibility criteria for MAiD; ii) not to expand MAiD to those with mental illness as a sole underlying diagnosis, rather to ensure funding for mental health support services; iii) to affirm conscience protection rights for medical professionals; iv) to provide effective support for funding and access to palliative care services.
Read the brief here
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