Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide
On June 17th, 2016, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-14,which legalized -euthanasia/assisted suicide in our country.
Excerpt: “The legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) raises a host of complex ethical and practical challenges that have implications for both policy and practice. The CMA supports maintaining the balance between three equally legitimate considerations: respecting decisional autonomy for those eligible Canadians who are seeking access, protecting vulnerable persons through careful attention to safeguards, and creating an environment in which practitioners are able to adhere to their moral commitments.”
- THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING (PROTECTION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND OTHERS) ACT
- CMA , MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING (POLICY, 2017)
The 31% increase average annual growth rate in MAiD from 2019 to 2022 continues. See article and report below:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maid-canada-report-2022-1.7009704
There also continues to be significant concerns from clinicians across the country regarding patients whose sole diagnosis of “mental disorder” will make them eligible for MAiD in March 2024. There have also been multiple articles written about the troubling use of MAiD as therapy and the normalization of euthanasia. Clink on this link "When Death Becomes Therapy: Canada’s Troubling Normalization of HealthCare Provider Ending of Life"
Government deliberating expansion of MAID December 2023 - https://www.msn.com/en-ca/video/news/government-deliberating-expansion-of-maid/vi-AA1mSJT0?ocid=socialshare&pc=DCTS&cvid=bf099a1283b044acbe869f449eba44ed&ei=98
Catholic health does not provide MAiD or directly refer for the specific procedure of MAiD, and we do not abandon our patients. For a patient that chooses MAiD, there is a transfer of care to another organization that provides MAiD. This position is consistent with religious freedom and legislation and agreements with governments across Canada confirming that no health organization is required to provide a service that is contrary to its religious teaching.
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Statement on MAiD - November 2023
Avoiding the MAID Mindset: What Catholics Need to Know - Click here.
Catholic Clinical Ethicist - St. Boniface Hospital
Katarina Lee - Presented at St. Boniface Cathedral in 2019
Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons & Families Considering or Opting for Death by Assisted Suicide or Euthanasia - A Guide for Priests and Parishes - Guidelines
End of life choices Workshop PPT presentation (2018)
To view results of the Table discussions on MAID click here
Mission: Assistance in Living
Re-affirming our Commitment to Patient-Centred, Whole Person Care
The Catholic Health Association of Manitoba (CHAM) is a voluntary, provincial association dedicated to the healing Ministry of Jesus Christ and its mission of compassionate concern and respect for all persons through its ministries of education, health care ethics, spiritual care, social justice, and Catholic sponsorship.
In specifically contemplating the Canadian MAiD experience to date, CHAM believes there is a critical need for individuals and organizations to re-ignite a life-affirming approach to the care and wellbeing of all Canadians based in shared values of the dignity of the human person. There is a need to rally around a collective, intentional vision and action aimed at supporting the person in all dimensions—physical, social, psychological, emotional, spiritual—as a form of social justice.
We could call this approach “Mission: Assistance in Living” (MAiL). MAiL is aimed at identifying, providing, improving and/or facilitating access to care and supports that advance the inherent dignity, security and fundamental equality of all persons— including persons with physical or mental illness, disability or older age, as well as persons experiencing poverty, homelessness, isolation or a lack of care and support. —in order to live with dignity, to flourish, and fully participate in society on an equal basis with others.
This document sets out background information to support the need for a MAiL model and is followed by general guidelines, corollary commitments, and preliminary action items. .
CHAM wants to get as many people and organizations to support MAiL and make a submission to government by the end of January to influence the decisions makers to NOT expand MAiD to individuals with mental health challenges. If you would like to add your name or organization to support this cause, please contact Julie Turenne-Maynard via email at admin@cham.mb.ca
If you would like to print off the postcard below, click HERE.
