Another Canadian seeks euthanasia based on poverty

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

An article by Jack Hauen that was published on June 26 by Newmarket Today concerns people in Ontario who are receiving Ontario Works (Ontario's name for welfare) or ODSP (disability support) and living in poverty.

The article focuses on the remarks by Ontario Premier Doug Ford concerning people who are receiving Ontario Works and the article interviews two people receiving government assistance.

Hauen interviews Mitchell Tremblay who says:

Once, after a job interview, "the employer called me and said ... 'They're calling me and asking me, how long were you here? Did you look presentable?'" said Mitchell Tremblay, who was on OW for seven years before being allowed to access ODSP, which he has used since. He spoke to The Trillium via a WiFi calling app since he can't afford a phone or plan.

Tremblay describes living in a slum house with rats in the wall, cockroaches throughout and only having access to a shared shower. Hauen then reports:

Tremblay said he's applying for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) next year due to the "horrible conditions" he's facing as a result of his assistance rates.

Rose Finlay

Recently Rose Finlay, a Canadian quadriplegic woman, was approved for death by euthanasia, with a 90 day waiting period, but was told that she must wait 6 - 8 months to receive ODSP (disability support).

Tremblay and Finlay are two of the many stories of people with disabilities who seek a death by euthanasia because they are living in poverty in Canada.

Further reading:

• Canada's law will provide not prevent suicide for some psychiatric patients (Link).
• Euthanasia for mental illness. Killing people with an uncertain prognosis (Link).
• Abbotsford police investigating euthanasia death (Link).
• Canada is not as advertised. Euthanasia is eugenics (Link).
• Canada's euthanasia law is the most permissive in the world (Link).
• (MAiD) euthanasia for disability and poverty (Link).
• (MAiD) euthanasia for mental illness and poverty (Link).
• Veterans affairs worker advocates euthanasia for PTSD (Link).\
• Abandoning people. Canada's broadening euthanasia laws (Link).
• Mother wants to stop 23-year-old son from dying by euthanasia (Link).
• Bereaved mother speaks out against euthanasia (Link).
• Woman died by euthanasia because of inadequate home care (Link).
• Infant euthanasia proposed by Quebec College of Physicians (Link).
• How poverty not pain is driving people with disabilities to euthanasia (Link).
• Ontario man seeks euthanasia to avoid homelessness (Link).
• Why did they kill my brother? (Link).
• Canada's doctors offer euthanasia before receiving a request (Link).
• Food bank clients asking for euthanasia based on poverty (Link).
• No other options. An expose on euthanasia in Canada (Link).
• Poverty and euthanasia creates public interest but euthanasia is abhorent on its own (Link).
• Canadian quadriplegic woman can be approved and die by euthanasia quicker than being approved and receive disability benefits. (Link).