Friday, August 14, 2015

Provincial government appoints pro-euthanasia panel to devise euthanasia laws.

Alex Schadenberg
By Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC)

The Ontario Government is spearheading its own "expert panel" on euthanasia and assisted suicide in conjunction with many Provinces and Territories.


The panel has set-up an online survey with skewed questions. Several of the online survey questions only offer pro-euthanasia possibilities therefore we are  urging you to send your thoughts by email to: endoflifedecisions@ontario.ca.

The Provincial-Territorial Expert Advisory Group features a stacked deck with: co-chair, Maureen Taylor, (the widow of Dr Donald Low who demanded the legalization of assisted dying in a video that was released after his death) who describes herself, on Twitter, as an advocate of assisted death, Jocelyn Downie is Canada's leading promoter of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and Arthur Schaefer is another long-time advocate of euthanasia and assisted suicide. 


One member of the committee opposes euthanasia and assisted suicide. The committee will state that they are not a one-sided committee when in fact the committee is stacked.

Hugh Scher
EPC legal counsel Hugh Scher commented:

The provincial and territorial inquiry into assisted suicide is premature in light of the present study under way by the Federal government. In particular, there is a serious question as to the constitutionality of provincial regimes regulating assisted death as health care, when such conduct and its regulation have historically fallen under the federal government’s criminal law powers under the Constitution.
Dying With Dignity, an assisted suicide lobby group, who support the panel, stating in their Media Release that:
"We are excited to learn more about the provincial panelists and the contributions each of them will bring to the table," said Morris. "We are especially pleased that Maureen Taylor will serve as co-chair. As the widow of Dr. Donald Low, she has first-hand experience of the brutal, unnecessary suffering that can occur when physician assisted dying is not accessible."
The euthanasia lobby appears to have influenced the Ontario Government to establish a biased panel, similar to the Royal Society of Canada report, to counter the Consultation on Legislative Options for Assisted Dying launched by the Federal government in July. 

Even though the questions are skewed, please complete the online survey.

For further comments contact: 
  • Alex Schadenberg at: 519-851-1434 (cell) or
  • Hugh Scher at: 416-816-6115 (cell)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I filled in the survey and it is very slanted and we should be concerned with the shape of its recommendation based on this. Secondly we should insist that only print media be allowed re. any discussion becuase it has been clearly documented that the visual medium is open to emotionalism and manipulation. The print media is too but at least there is some redress and even if one disagrees with a visual presentation, once the image is embedded in the memory, it cannot be easily eradicated.

Maureen said...

I agree--it is very slanted and the questions are very tricky---
I answered to the very best of my ability and I don't think they will like my comments

Unknown said...

They definitely won't like my comments. Assisted suicide is killing another human being.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, this is a terrible survey. One of the questions was, "In principle, do you strongly support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the idea that a person should be able to choose how they manage their palliative and end-of-life care, for example when and where they die?" How do you answer a, b or c when there's no opportunity to comment?

David Cooke said...

That was a terrible survey. There is no easy way to complete it in good conscience if you disagree with the Supreme Court edict and if you believe that assisted suicide and physician-ordered murder is completely and universally unacceptable. However, I think it is important for our voices to be heard, so please do complete the survey. Just be sure to state our position very clearly and cogently in the comment boxes provided. God help us.

Laura Piatkowski said...

I was going to do the survey but was alarmed at the tone of the questions. It was giving the person answering unrealistic choices. Why would you answer these when it seems the issue is already determined by those who authored it? I find it an attack on people who disagree with the issue. What happened to the Hippocratic Oath that says "First do no Harm?" I am disappointed that you ask for comments but it must meet the approval of the blog author.