February 24, 2023
Dear Friends of CCBI,
Quebec Bill-11 to Allow Advanced Consent / Euthanasia in Hospices
On February 18, Quebec’s minister for seniors tabled legislation to expand medical assistance in dying (MAID) and allow people to request it before being incapacitated by an incurable disease. Bill-11 aims to modify the existing law in Quebec regulating end-of-life care to allow people to make an advanced request for euthanasia procedures. CBC News reported that, “If passed, it will allow those suffering from degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s, to apply for MAID and give advanced consent.” This extension of the law has been discussed in Quebec and nationally several times, and this Bill is moving ahead to provide guidelines for making such requests. Those requesting must have a serious and incurable illness or a “serious and incurable neuromotor disability.” In conformity with free and informed consent, they must describe in writing the suffering they no longer can tolerate, and their requests must be legally witnessed or notarized. Two professionals would be required to attest that the level of suffering described has been achieved, and no doubt further guidelines will be needed to help assess that.
CCBI continues to emphasize the wrongness of euthanasia in any circumstance, and has concerns about the viability of any form of consent given in advance of later procedures, over which the person by then will have no say. The CBC report noted that in Quebec, “… no consensus emerged around the inclusion of mental disorders in the MAID legislation, so Quebec is keeping it out,” presumably for the time being.
Bill-11 also threatens hospices, Catholic and otherwise, in calling for palliative care hospices to offer MAiD. This is a major concern for most hospices, since euthanasia procedures contradict the overall philosophy and approach of the hospice movement and will cause further division. They endanger the existence of hospices which refuse to comply: funding could be cut off and staff left unemployed in the province if they resign for reasons of conscience or are let go for similar reasons.
The sad example of Delta Hospice, BC, should alert us to this reality. After the hospice board refused to allow MAiD on their premises, Fraser Valley Health authorities cut off funding, eventually reopening the hospice to include the procedures. All Delta’s original clinical staff were laid off and others resigned rather than work under such morally abhorrent conditions. The original board reformed as the ‘Delta Hospice Society,’ operating a charity shop to raise funds for its mission, which states: “We provide practical advice for individuals and families struggling with difficult end-of-life circumstances or bereavement. Callers are welcome to a 60-minute counselling call, at no cost. Delta Hospice Society cares.” The society deserves praise for its stance and its continuing efforts to provide advice to families in need of help and support in end-of-life situations while respecting the dignity of life until its natural end. But there is a clear message to hospices in other provinces!
No Options, No Choice
The No Options, No Choice campaign is responding to the Government of Quebec’s moves to extend euthanasia procedures by asking opponents to write to the Quebec Minister of health. They make three demands:
Many Canadians have been advocating for such measures for years, but another surge of letter-writing could be of use. Slightly discouraged long-time campaigners and advocates might be tempted to ignore such measures, but it’s important to press on with every sensible attempt to influence politicians.
The group provides a convenient form letter which means all we have to do is take the time to sign and send one email. Not hard! Here is the link:
https://www.nooptionsnochoice.com/english/take-action
Another Request: Mp Ed Fast’s Bill Needs Support
MP Ed Fast has presented a Private Member’s Bill, C-314, hoping to legislate that a mental illness is not a grievous and irremediable illness that qualifies for MAiD. Private Members’ Bills rarely succeed, but supporting Mr Fast adds weight to the claim that more and more people are against euthanasia for people solely with mental illness. Alex Schadenberg’s Euthanasia Prevention Coalition offers a way of registering concern by signing a petition in favour of Mr Fast’s brave move in Parliament. Here is the link:
Petitions | Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (epcc.ca)
PressReader.com – Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions
Act – Health Ministers (nooptionsnochoice.com)
Petitions | Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (epcc.ca)
Follow me on Twitter for regular comments on bioethics / moral theology: @MoiraMcQueen
Pope Francis’ Intentions for February
For Parishes
We pray that parishes, placing communion at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need.
Moira and Bambi