BC Health Minister says he will force the Delta Hospice to kill.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Sign the petition: Hospice Organizations Must NOT be Forced to do Euthanasia (Link).

The BC Health Minister, Adrian Dix, declared yesterday that the BC government will take action if the Delta hospice refuses to kill its patients.

Adrian Dix has suggested that they will stop funding the 10 bed Delta Hospice if it refuses to kill.

On December 2, I reported that the Board of the Delta BC Hospice Society that operates the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner BC, renewed its position opposing euthanasia (MAiD) while supporting excellent care. The Board stated:

MAiD is not compatible with the Delta Hospice Society purposes stated in the society's constitution, and therefore, will not be performed at the Irene Thomas Hospice.

In its recent Call to Action, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians stated that MAiD (euthanasia) is not part of hospice palliative care. They stated:

MAiD is not part of hospice palliative care; it is not an “extension” of palliative care nor is it one of the tools “in the palliative care basket”. National and international hospice palliative care organizations are unified in the position that MAiD is not part of the practice of hospice palliative care. 

...Hospice palliative care sees dying as a normal part of life and helps people to live and die well. Hospice palliative care does not seek to hasten death or intentionally end life. 

The Delta Optimist newpaper reported, on December 7, that Fraser Health informed the Delta Hospice that their position is at odds with the policy of Fraser Health. A spokesperson for Fraser Health told the Delta Optimist that:

The region noted it fully supports a patient’s right to receive medical assistance in dying wherever they may be, including in a hospice setting.

The position of the Delta Hospice is not new. In February 2018, the Delta Hospice was ordered by Fraser Health to provide euthanasia. The Delta Hospice did not comply with the Fraser Health edict.

If the Delta Hospice closes, the residents of Delta will lose the 10 bed hospice that is known for providing excellent end-of-life care.

If the Delta Hospice is forced to do euthanasia, then all Canadian Hospice groups will be forced to do euthanasia.

Sign the petition: Hospice Organizations Must NOT be Forced to do Euthanasia (Link).

Delta Hospice Must Not Be Forced to do Euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg

Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Sign the petition: Hospice Organizations Must NOT be Forced to do Euthanasia (Link).

In February 2018 the Board

of the Delta BC Hospice was given an Edict from Fraser Health to provide euthanasia (MAiD).

At that time, the Board of the Delta Hospice decided not to do euthanasia and continued its good work.
 

Recently, the Board of the Delta Hospice re-stated its opposition to euthanasia. The new board passed a resolution stating:

MAiD is not compatible with the Delta Hospice Society purposes stated in the society's constitution, and therefore, will not be performed at the Irene Thomas Hospice.

A spokesperson for Fraser Health told the Delta Optimist that:

it fully supports a patient’s right to receive medical assistance in dying wherever they may be, including in a hospice setting.

The order by Fraser Health is contrary to the stated purpose of the Delta Hospice Society constitution.

Sign the petition: Hospice Organizations Must NOT be forced to do Euthanasia (Link).

If funding for the 10 bed hospice is stopped people in the community requiring care at the end of life, will lose the excellent care provided by the Delta Hospice.

By forcing the Delta Hospice to provide euthanasia, Fraser Health is also redefining the meaning of hospice/palliative care.

In its recent Call to Action, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians stated that MAiD (euthanasia) is not a part of hospice palliative care. They stated:

MAiD is not part of hospice palliative care; it is not an “extension” of palliative care nor is it one of the tools “in the palliative care basket”. National and international hospice palliative care organizations are unified in the position that MAiD is not part of the practice of hospice palliative care. 

...Hospice palliative care sees dying as a normal part of life and helps people to live and die well. Hospice palliative care does not seek to hasten death or intentionally end life. 

If the Delta Hospice is forced to provide euthanasia then all Hospice Palliative Care organizations within Canada can be forced to provide euthanasia.

Hospice/Palliative Care is not MAiD. The Delta Hospice must not be forced to provide MAiD.

Fraser Health is overstepping its role as a health authority in forcing and bullying the Delta Hospice to provide MAiD.

Sign the petition: Hospice Organizations Must NOT be forced to do Euthanasia (Link).

Delta Hospice ordered by Fraser Health to do euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Delta Hospice

On December 2, I reported that the Board of the Delta BC Hospice Society that operates the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner BC, renewed its position opposing euthanasia (MAiD) while supporting excellent care. The Board stated that:

MAiD is not compatible with the Delta Hospice Society purposes stated in the society's constitution, and therefore, will not be performed at the Irene Thomas Hospice.

Fraser Health, the government agency that allocates health funding in that region reacted to the Delta Hospice Society by ordering them to provide MAiD (euthanasia).

Sign the petition: Hospice Organizations Must NOT be forced to do Euthanasia (Link).

The Delta Optimist newpaper reported, on December 7, that Fraser Health informed the Delta Hospice that their position is at odds with the policy of Fraser Health.

A spokesperson for Fraser Health told the Delta Optimist that:

The region noted it fully supports a patient’s right to receive medical assistance in dying wherever they may be, including in a hospice setting.

The Delta Optimist also reported that the lobby group, Dying With Dignity, also believes that the Delta Hospice should be forced to do euthanasia:

Alex Muir with the Vancouver chapter of Dying with Dignity Canada called the new board’s vote to repeal MAiD disappointing, adding his group believes Delta Hospice should be forced to abide by Fraser Health policy that MAiD be provided in all non-faith-based facilities under its jurisdiction.

Muir then added that Dying With Dignity considers palliative care and MAiD to be essential options on a spectrum of care.

Delta Hospice President, Angelina Ireland

The position of the Delta Hospice is not new. In February 2018, the Delta Hospice was ordered by Fraser Health to provide euthanasia. The Delta Hospice did not comply with the edict from Fraser Health at that time.

Recently the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) and the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians released a joint statement upholding that hospice palliative care is not compatible with MAiD (euthanasia). They stated:

Healthcare articles and the general media continue to conflate and thus misrepresent these two fundamentally different practices. MAiD is not part of hospice palliative care; it is not an “extension” of palliative care nor is it one of the tools “in the palliative care basket”. National and international hospice palliative care organizations are unified in the position that MAiD is not part of the practice of hospice palliative care.

Hospice palliative care and MAiD substantially differ in multiple areas including in philosophy, intention and approach. Hospice palliative care focuses on improving quality of life and symptom management through holistic person-centered care for those living with life threatening conditions. Hospice palliative care sees dying as a normal part of life and helps people to live and die well. Hospice palliative care does not seek to hasten death or intentionally end life.

If the Delta Hospice is forced to do euthanasia, then all Canadian Hospice groups can be forced to do euthanasia.

Sign the petition: Hospice Organizations Must NOT be forced to do Euthanasia (Link).

Are people being coerced to euthanasia?

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Last week I had the opportunity to screen the Fatal Flaws film and speak in Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River British Columbia. Thank you to the local organizers who made this possible.

This article is about three stories from the three events where I spoke.

The first story was from a woman who spoke to me after the Campbell River presentation. She told me that her father has medical issues and has been offered MAiD on several occasions. She said that her father has never brought up the topic of euthanasia and being offered euthanasia feels like a form of coercion.

The second story was a man whose mother requires dialysis. He said that while his mother was feeling down from her dialysis that a nurse suggested that she consider MAiD. Another person then agreed with this suggestion. He said that his mother didn't bring up the issue of euthanasia and felt coerced by the suggestion. He said that she was feeling depressed and if she did not call him she may have asked for death.

The third story was a woman who told me that she was approved for euthanasia. She appeared to be physically healthy but when speaking to her she seemed to have psychological issues (I am not a professional, this is only my impression).

Now that euthanasia is legal, how are these decisions being made?

Candice Lewis with her mother Sheila

One of the most powerful stories, in the Fatal Flaws film, is the story of Candice Lewis who was pressured by a doctor to ask for assisted death. (Link to the story).

Euthanasia is sold as a form of freedom. In these cases the people felt coerced to ask for euthanasia. In other words, choice can be an illusion.

Moral Challenges exist for nurses around euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

"Nurses are conflicted with assisted deaths"

Barb Pesut

UBC Okanagan nursing professor and Canada Research chair in health, ethics and diversity, Barb Pesut, was interviewed by Daniel Taylor for the Lake Country Calendar.

In her interview Pesut comments on the moral challenges faced by nurses with euthanasia. She states:

The question that haunts me is whether nurses have been sufficiently prepared to make an informed choice about their decision to participate, or not, in MAiD,” 

“There is a prevailing tendency to assume that what we make legal is de facto also right.”

Pesut, who recently published a study on why people choose MAiD, commented on MAiD's effect on nurses.

According to the study, there is a grey area regarding the eligibility criteria for an assisted death. This grey area is really the area of clinical judgment. The courts have recognized that many of the decisions related to the assessment of eligibility for MAiD are medical, not legal decisions. 

This has the potential to lead to quite a bit of variability in determining who is eligible to choose for MAiD and who is not. 

The study found that this was such a different death experience for nurses who were tasked with the patients’ care. 

Some of those who were undergoing MAiD looked relatively well compared to those patients who they normally treated at end-of-life.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has been contacted by nurses who are being pressured to participate in euthanasia. Nurses often have less freedom than doctors to decide what they are willing to do and nurses lack effective conscience protection.

• Nurse feels pressured to participate in euthanasia.

Delta BC Hospice supports caring options, not euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Delta Hospice

The Board of the Delta BC Hospice Society that operates the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner BC, recently renewed a position, of the previous board that opposes euthanasia (MAiD) while supporting excellent care.

An article published by the Delta Optimist explains that last Thursday the Delta Hospice Society elected a new board. The new board met on Saturday where they passed a resolution stating that:

MAiD is not compatible with the Delta Hospice Society purposes stated in the society's constitution, and therefore, will not be performed at the Irene Thomas Hospice.

Angelina Ireland

A letter was sent out by Angelina Ireland, the new President of the Delta BC Hospice announcing their position and the new leadership team.

The position of the Delta Hospice is not new but rather a renewal of its previous position. In February 2018, the Delta Hospice was ordered by Fraser Health to provide euthanasia. The Delta Hospice did not comply with the edict from Fraser Health.

Do you have a personal story about euthanasia or assisted suicide?

Alan Nichols (62) was not sick or dying yet he died by euthanasia on July 26 at Chilliwack General Hospital in BC. His family is shocked that he was approved for and died by euthanasia. They were powerless to stop it.

Alan struggled with chronic depression. He often isolated himself, refusing to take medication or see a doctor. He needed support and encouragement during difficult times, not euthanasia.

Alan's story has been seen Canada-wide through CTV News coverage and social media (Link to Alan's story). His story is helping Canadians understand the consequences of legalized euthanasia.

Was Alan pressured or influenced to choose euthanasia?
Was Alan of sound mind to provide informed consent?
Was Alan offered any caring supports?

What could have been done to protect him?

Do you have a story to tell?

Canada's euthanasia law has opened the door wider to the abuse of people living with vulnerable conditions. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is sharing real life stories to show what is happening.

Your voice has the power to influence people, inspire action and affect decisions.

Sharing your experience can help you find closure and justice and honour the memory of a loved one lost to assisted death.

We believe in caring not killing.

If you have a story, email info@epcc.ca or call EPC at: 1-877-439-3348. 

We will not publicize your story without consent.

EPC is distributing the flyer at the top for $30 for 100 flyers or $50 for 200 flyers (tax and shipping included).

CBC radio propaganda promoting euthanasia for dementia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

CBC radio produced a "documentary" that aired on October 27 titled Ten Minutes to Midnight that is more of a propaganda production promoting euthanasia for people with dementia than a documentary investigating how Canada's euthanasia law may apply to people with dementia.

I refer to it as propaganda because the documentary is promoting euthanasia for dementia, rather than simply discussing the issue. For instance the program ends by stating:

"The more we talk about this topic, the more comfortable we'll be, the better our deaths will be, however we want to shape them,"...

Canada's euthanasia law appears to not permit euthanasia for dementia alone but a closer reading of the law indicates that the physician defines a patient's competency to consent. Canada's euthanasia law, states:

241.2 (3) Before a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner provides a person with medical assistance in dying, the medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must
(a) be of the opinion that the person meets all of the criteria set out in subsection (1)

This means that the medical or nurse practitioner is only required to "be of the opinion" that the person meets the criteria of the law. Canada's euthanasia law can and is being interpreted in a very wide manner.

The purpose of this program was to inform Canadians with dementia that they qualify for euthanasia. The program states:

Wilson died with medical assistance on Oct. 29, 2017. In February 2018, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia opened an investigation into the three doctors involved, as reported in the Globe and Mail.

At the same time, Green's colleagues at CAMAP were assembling a new guidance document that outlined the circumstances under which people with dementia might be eligible to receive MAID.

Ten months after the Wilson investigation began, the college cleared the doctors involved of any wrongdoing.

In the spring of 2019, after extensive conversations with colleagues and legal scholars, Green decided she was ready to reconsider helping Gayle. She did a second assessment.

By then, Gayle's condition had deteriorated. His mental processing had slowed, and he struggled in conversation.

"I was able to determine that Gayle still knew what was going on around him and with him. He understood that he had dementia, that it had progressed," Green said.

"At that point I really believed that Gayle had both capacity and was suffering intolerably."

On May 9, she approved his MAID application.

But in July, Gayle woke from a nap and, for the first time, didn't recognize his wife. Barbara worried he had lost capacity and would no longer be eligible for MAID.

The first point is that the doctors that were involved with Wilson's euthanasia death were cleared of wrong-doing. 

The second point is that Dr Green decided, that in her opinion Gayle was capable of consenting to his death. The article went further:

Green said the case may still spark concerns about whether the law is being expanded, but she argued it does not represent a "so-called slippery slope."

"This is not an expansion of our law … This is a maturing of the understanding of what we're doing," she said.

Green states that the continual expansion of the euthanasia law is not a slippery slope, but rather a maturing of the law. The euthanasia lobby denies that a slippery slope exists in Canada to not create a problem in other jurisdictions, such as Australia or New Zealand, who are debating euthanasia.


Canada's national broadcasting company regularly publishes articles that promote the expansion of euthanasia in Canada. This broadcast is one more CBC propaganda production.
 
The fast expansion of euthanasia in Canada. 

In July, Alan Nichols, also from BC, died by euthanasia, even though he was not physically ill but rather living with chronic depression. His family told the doctors that Alan was not competent and they urged the doctors not to euthanize Alan, but to no avail.

Last month, a Québec court expanded Canada's euthanasia law by striking down the requirement that a person's natural death must be reasonably forseeable. The federal and Québec governments did not appeal the decision, thus removing the "terminal illness" safeguard within the law.


Further to that, the number of euthanasia deaths is growing quickly in Canada. The 2018 data indicated a 50% increase in deaths over 2017 and the recent Ontario data indicates that there were 368 reported euthanasia deaths in the first quarter of 2019 and 519 reported euthanasia deaths in the third quarter of 2019.

Ontario: Euthanasia deaths are rising quickly.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Ontario Office of the Chief Coroner released the updated data for MAiD (euthanasia and assisted suicide) deaths in Ontario indicating that since legalization (June 17, 2016) there have been (3822) reported assisted deaths up to September 30, 2019.

The number euthanasia deaths is increasing fast. The number of reported assisted deaths were 519 from July 1 - Sept 30, 406 from April 1 and June 30 and 368 in the first three months of 2019.  

Ontario is now on the pace of killing more than 2000 people per year by euthanasia and since the federal government has not appealled the decision by a Québec court that struck down the terminal illness restriction, the numbers of euthanasia deaths will likely increase faster.

Alan Nichols

In August, we learned that Sean Taggert died by euthanasia in British Columbia because the government refused to provide him the necessary home care for him to live with ALS.

In September we reported on the euthanasia death of a man in British Columbia who was not physically ill but living with chronic depression. Alan Nichols death uncovers that the data does not accurately state why people die by euthanasia and whether or not alternatives were tried.

Do you have a personal story concerning euthanasia. Sharing your story may help us prevent euthanasia deaths. Contact us at: 1-877-439-3348 or info@epcc.ca.

According to the Ontario data, there were 1293 reported assisted deaths in the first nine months of 2019, 1499 reported assisted deaths in 2018, 841 reported assisted deaths in 2017 and 189 reported assisted deaths in 2016.

In March I published an article explaining that the number of assisted deaths, in Canada, increased by more than 50% in 2018 from 2704 in 2017 to 4235 in 2018. 

 

If you have questions or concerns related to assisted death or ending of life medical decisions, we urge you to contact Compassionate Community Care for advice, help and support.

• 774 euthanasia deaths in the first 6 months of 2019 in Ontario (Link).
• Ontario: 368 people died by euthanasia in the first three months of 2019 (Link).
• Canadian healthcare system found it more convenient to kill a patient than provide the necessary home care (Link).
• Physically healthy depressed man died by euthanasia in BC (Link).
• Québec court expands euthanasia by striking down the terminal illness requirement (Link).