Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Canada passes Bill C-7 - permitting euthanasia for mental illness.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Alex Schadenberg
On March 11, the Liberal government, with the support of the Bloc Quebecois (BQ), forced a closure of debate on Bill C-7, Canada's euthanasia expansion bill, and then passed Bill C-7, with the Senate amendment approving euthanasia for mental illness alone, once again with the BQ supporting the Liberals.

On March 17, Canada's Senate passed Bill C-7.

Bill C-7 was introduced in February 2020 as the government's response to the Quebec Superior Court's Truchon decision which struck down the part of the law requiring that a person's natural death be reasonably foreseeable before they could be killed by euthanasia. The government did not appeal the Truchon decision. Bill C-7 goes much further than Truchon required.

You may remember, that parliament passed Bill C-7 in December 2020. Bill C-7 then went to the Senate for further study and a vote.

The Senate amended Bill C-7 to clearly allow euthanasia for people with mental illness and for incompetent people who asked for death by lethal injection in their advanced directive.

The Senate amendments came back to parliament where Justice Minister David Lametti rejected the amendment approving euthanasia for incompetent people who asked for it in their advanced directive but he approved euthanasia for mental illness with the caveat that euthanasia for mental illness be stayed for 24 months to give the government time to develop protocols.

What did Bill C-7 do before it was amended?

1. Bill C-7 removed the requirement in the law that a person’s natural death be reasonably foreseeable in order to qualify for assisted death. Therefore, people who are not terminally ill could die by euthanasia. The Truchon decision only required this amendment to the law, but Bill C-7 goes further.

2. Bill C-7 permits a doctor or nurse practitioner to lethally inject a person who is incapable of consenting, if that person was previously approved for assisted death. This contravenes the Supreme Court of Canada Carter decision which stated that only competent people could die by euthanasia.

3. Bill C-7 waives the ten-day waiting period if a person's natural death is deemed to be reasonably foreseeable. Thus a person could request death by euthanasia on a "bad day" and die the same day. Studies prove that the “will to live” fluctuates.

4. Bill C-7 creates a two track law. A person whose natural death is deemed to be reasonably foreseeable has no waiting period while a person whose natural death is not deemed to be reasonably foreseeable would have a 90 day waiting period before being killed by lethal injection.

5. Bill C-7 (originally) falsely claimed to prevent euthanasia for people with mental illness. The euthanasia law permits MAiD for people who are physically or psychologically suffering that is intolerable to the person and that cannot be relieved in a way that the person considers acceptable. Mental illness, which is not defined in the law, is considered a form of psychological suffering. Now parliament has specifically approved euthanasia for mental illness.

Bill C-7 went much further than the Quebec Superior Court Truchon decision and now that parliament has approved euthanasia for mental illness alone, Bill C-7 is much worse.

Bill C-7 will now go back to the Senate for debate and a vote. The Senate may once again amend the bill, sending it back again to parliament nonetheless, the damage has been done.

But there is good news.

Incredible numbers of Canadians woke up to the reality of euthanasia for mental illness alone would mean for Canada. More than 53,000 people signed our petition opposing Bill C-7 and more than 18,000 people signed our petition opposing euthanasia for mental illness.

Almost universally, people with disabilities recognized that Bill C-7, directly affects them.

Many medical professionals responded to Bill C-7, especially since the law is out-of-control without even providing them with effective conscience protections.

The battle is not over.

Many people have contacted me feeling tired and down. They cannot believe that Canada's government would permit euthanasia for people with mental illness alone. I also feel tired, but never down.

The fact is that the Liberal government, the BQ and the euthanasia lobby have clearly told Canadians where they stand. They are not concerned about the lives of people with disabilities or those who live with chronic conditions. They are not concerned about people who struggle with mental illness or other psychological conditions. They are not concerned about people who are at a vulnerable time of their life. They are not concerned about honesty and transparency.

More and more our message is accepting the challenge of caring for our family, friends and neighbours. Protecting the equality and life of people with disabilities and other chronic conditions is about recognizing that we live in solidarity with others.

Caring for and protecting others is based upon recognizing that each human being has equality which  cannot only be recognized by words but by actions.

Death is truly dignified when it is shared with those who care about that person until their natural death.

18 comments:

Corrina Conlan said...

That OPENED up a BIG CAN of WORMS!

Voice of Gone Ballistic said...

This does not have to happen. Health professionals can refuse to do this service. No one can force anyone to do anything.

Tershia said...

Canada is promoting a culture of death. The sheeple need to wake up and realise the evil that is ruling this country.

Harry De Vries. said...

The open door to life is gradually closing. People with severe disabilities etc. will now remain solely at the discretion of the government directives and legislation.

Harry DE Vries, Lincoln On.

Charlene said...

Thank you Alex for all your hard work and efforts. You are a true patriot for the vulnerable. We fight on.

jane w said...

Dear Voice - it HAS happened... the government shut down an independent Hospice in BC because they would not do MAiD. Doctors in On have to do MAiD if a patient request it, or give a referral, or they will not be allowed to practice. What a world!!!



geardoid said...

Would love to see the detailed division, i.e. vote roster. No MP who supported this attack on the vulnerable should get re-elected.

levee said...

Mental problems are curable by The Body Code and Emotion Code. Please consult
Dr. Bradley Nelson. No Untimely death. Only God can let a person live or die. The time is His. He is our Creator. Do not put blood in your hands, Politicians.

MTt said...

How is it that a hand full of gutless, non compassionate government officials continue to tell Canadians what is best for them. Our democratic system is completely flawed.

MTt said...

Government are gutless cowards, how is it that a handful of people continue to decide what they deem best for Canada.

Christiformis said...

Dr. Mengala and his henchmen are alive and well and killing the most vulnerable of our nation using the Parliament of Canada. What great evil has enveloped this once great nation.

Lise-Anne D BC-er said...

Pretty scary... Same day death, etc. There's hope, there's life.

dougsned said...

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. To choose MAID is my own choice. Don't want it? Don't get it.

Melanie Klein said...

Thankyou Alex for all your sacrificial hard work and continual persists and dedication to fight for life and God given rights! I'm appalled at the decadence we are seeing in this country and corruption in our government!
I continue to support your efforts and pray for you and those in the coalition and for our government.

Anonymous said...

God bless you for your response. You are not alone with you response.

Pat

Brenda Webb said...

I was a nurse for over 40 years and am disgusted with our government for passing such a heinous bill! This type of decision should be made by the majority of people in our country! An addendum vote should have been added to the next federal election to see how the people of Canada, and not just our politicians feel on this subject! How does a person live with themselves making these decisions without a true idea of how the majority of the country feels!

Unknown said...

I have Thyroid disease that causes me to become extremely depressed, so I guess now they can just kill me if I said I want to die that day. That's terrifying.

Anonymous said...

My daughter had depression for a 4 year period due to other medical complications. She is now over that. I can’t imagine if she had said let me die and the law was intact then.
For those that perform this, May God have mercy on your souls!!!