Sunday, April 3, 2022

Great news: Delta Hospice Society elects Board of Directors who oppose euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Great news: More than 75% of the members of the Delta Hospice Society voted to elect a new board that oppose euthanasia (MAiD) and they also supported the amendment to the constitution and bylaws for the group. Many supporters of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition are also members of the Delta Hospice Society.

In February 2021, the BC Ministry of Health defunded the Delta Hospice Society (DHS) and expropriated it's 10 bed hospice building because the DHS refused to participate in euthanasia (Link).

On Saturday, March 26, an online meeting was held for the Delta Hospice Society members to vote on a new board of directors and a revised constitution and bylaws to ensure that Delta Hospice Society provides palliative care that affirms life to its natural end. The March 26 meeting was not finished and was completed on April 2.

There were issues with the online platform but everyone who joined the meeting were able to vote online or by phone.

I was elected to the DHS Board of Directors. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition supports the direction and goals of the Delta Hospice Society.

The Delta Hospice Society will soon initiate its plans to create an independent hospice that is privately funded and does not provide euthanasia (MAiD). The DHS is committed to creating safe places for people to die.


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely wonderful. Very pleased for you.
Heather

Tammy-Lee Turgeon said...

Awesome ❤❤❤ Congratulations &thankyou for your hard work & determination!Blessings as you continue forward ��!

Mary said...

How can the ministry take possession of this facility which I am thinking was built with donor's funds ?
The Feds are threatening to take charitable status from Crisis Pregnancy Centres in the budget this week. I understand they can also expropriate their properties even though not a cent of government money has gone into their procurement.
How is this possible ?

Alex Schadenberg said...

Dear Mary:

I agree with your concerns. In the case of the Delta Hospice Society, the hospice building was built on land owned by the hospital (government). Therefore the land was owned by the government and the building was owned by the Delta Hospice Society. The government cancelled the lease agreement and expropriated the building that was on the land.

Ron Panzer said...

Thank goodness the Board of the hospice has remained true to the original pro-life mission of hospice!

This is as it should be for all hospices, otherwise they are not actually hospice care!

Curt and Jen said...

Dear Mary,
You said, "The Feds are threatening to take charitable status from Crisis Pregnancy Centres in the budget this week." I would appreciate information on this. Would you be able to provide a link or more on this for me?
Thank-you!

Unknown said...

Considering the Hospice was an entity before the emergence of MAID in Canada, arguments about the existing board changing the rules (so to speak) really don't carry much weight in reality...
Patrick

Cheryl the Good said...

As a member of the Delta Hospice Society, I was present at the AGM and was upset to hear the arguments made by many of the members seeking election from the Take Back Delta group. With one exception, I did not hear any address the issue of MAiD or euthanasia as a reason why they were seeking election. The only other who mentioned it said it was being used as manipulation and even scoffed at the word "euthanasia." I thought that was the "kind" word? Would they prefer the actual terminology: murder? No, what I chiefly heard centered around money, funding, and legacy. Very, very little to do with the actual people being cared for at the hospice or their families. Dark hearts were exposed and it both angered and grieved me that there are people who can be so callous.

Erwin Stenzel said...

I'm so happy to learn of this victory. Erwin Stenzel.

Richard Bray said...

Thank you Alex for playing such a key role in this victory. DHS's perseverance against tyrany has succeeded!!!

Hilmar said...

We are really thrilled with the results of the vote. I was especially touched by the elderly lady who commented that she was born 1 month after Pearl Harbour and that she would like to die in a place where she knows she will not be killed.
Regarding the comment by Mary I also don't understand the expropriation of the old hospice. I understand that the lease of the land was terminated but there should have been a payment by the government for the building as it was not theirs but paid for by private donors. Otherwise it would be considered theft by the government. Perhaps you could clarify what really took place?

Frank said...

Such good news! Congratulations.

Nan Louis said...

I am so glad to hear the outcome! Saturday, I was blocked from joining the meeting either by phone or online and very frustrated not to be able to vote so this outcome is a great relief!

Mary said...

If you go to Preganancy Care Canada you will find a link to a note from Dr. Laura Lewis who is executive director. Info can also be found on Campaign Life's site.
Today I spoke to the director of our PCC here. Apparently Dr. Lewis has been in conversation with the finance minister and the matter may not be in the budget but go to committee where Dr. Lewis may be able to speak to the issue. To that end we pray 🙏💛

Sissy von Dehn said...

A big relief to have this long awaited result and move into the affirming Hospice care.Congratulations to the present winning Board . Now the challenge not to be interfered with beyond completing the new home.

Mary said...

Hmm. I did reply but don't know what happened to it ? Check Campaign Life coalition and Pregnancy Care Canada for more info. Mary

Paulette Houle said...

I am so happy of the positive outcome at this AGM. Congratulations to everyone who worked hard in organizing the meeting and making it happen. God is awesome! God Bless this hospice and all our clients that take advantage this beautiful facility!

Paulette H.