Canada October 14, 2020
Canadian religious leaders criticize federal plans to ease euthanasia
By B.C. Catholic Staff
More than 50 religious leaders across Canada have released an open letter to all Canadians opposing the Trudeau government’s efforts to expand euthanasia by removing the safeguard of foreseeable natural death.
The letter opposes Bill C-7 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), which was introduced by the federal government Oct. 5. It seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for euthanasia and assisted suicide, which it describes as “medical assistance in dying”) by removing the “reasonable foreseeability of natural death” criterion currently in the Criminal Code, and by loosening some of the existing restrictions allowing patients whose death is “reasonably foreseeable” to waive final consent to receiving euthanasia by making an advance directive.
The religious leaders said in part: “We are obliged to express our strong concern and opposition to Bill C:7 which, among other things, expands access to euthanasia and assisted suicide to those who are not dying. It perplexes our collective minds that we have come so far as a society yet, at the same time, have so seriously regressed in the manner that we treat the weak, the ill, and the marginalized.”
A statement from the religious leaders said the message reflects a unity of thought and concern among Canada’s diverse religious communities in the face of human suffering, dying and death, and the inadequacy of euthanasia and assisted suicide as a response.
“We are convinced that a robust palliative care system available to all Canadians is a much more effective response to suffering and to protecting the sacred dignity of the human person. Palliative care addresses pain in a loving and caring environment, wherein people go out of their way to offer comfort and solace. It makes everyone into a better person.”
The development of the message was initiated by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka, CM, Ph.D., the Canadian Council of Imams (CCI), the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), and Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada.
The eight-page document, entitled We Can and Must do Much Better, predicts the government will soon be contemplating the expansion of euthanasia to “mature minors” and to those whose sole medical condition is mental illness.
Saying “this is a defining moment for Canada,” the document urges “a more complete consultation with all Canadians on this grave matter.”