Saturday, November 4, 2023

Globe and Mail editorial urges federal government to withdraw euthanasia for mental illness

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Globe and Mail editorial from November 4 urges the federal government of Canada to withdraw the expansion of euthanasia for mental illness.

The editorial comments on the 2022 Health Canada euthanasia report indicated that 13,241 people reportedly died by euthanasia in Canada, with Quebec having the highest euthanasia report in the world. The editorial quotes Quebec officials who are concerned that euthanasia is no longer a "last resort."

Dr. K Sonu Gaind
The editorial quotes Dr. K Sonu Gaind, Chief of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, who consistently states that there is "absolutely no consensus" as to what constitutes an irremediable medical condition when it comes to patients with mental illness. This is important because the law requires that a person only be approved for euthanasia if they have an irremediable medical condition. 

The editorial states:

However, Canada's framework for approving a medically assisted death for someone suffering from a mental illness does not require that a trained psychiatrist make an evaluation. Instead, doctors (with some expertise) are expected to make a case-by-case detemination. even when those with decades of experience are flummoxed.

A delay until March is not enough; Ottawa needs to withdraw it's amendments that include mental illness in the law for MAiD. There are too many uncertainties, most crucially the inability to determine who is suffering from a truly irremediable mental disease and who will recover given enough time, treatment and hope.

Previous articles from K Sonu Gaind (Articles Link).

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4 comments:

  1. JaniceNovember 7, 2023 at 12:34 PM

    Specialists are now realizing their expertise is not required, only a signature. Therefore, any doctor who is in agreement to sign a death sentence is all that's needed. This is rendering psychiatrists and psychologists redundant. Their final diagnosis will be and can be overridden by a general practitioner.
    Finally, even if it's hitting their ego, doctors will now speak up against this egregious and irresponsible amendment. This MAID law is all part of the climate euthanasia agenda ... depopulate at the expense of vulnerable humans.
    Let's see if the Pope addresses this 'throw away society' agenda at the climate conference in Dubai. Should be interesting.

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  2. AnonymousNovember 7, 2023 at 2:01 PM

    Thank you, Dr. Sonu Gaind. We do need more time than March 24, 2023. And a big thank you to all who have been working so diligently in various ways, to maintain a culture of life, here in our beloved Canada.
    And a big thank you, to Alex, and his associates.
    Madge Weber.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JAMES LEONARD PARKNovember 8, 2023 at 6:32 AM

    MERCIFUL DEATH
    FOR PATIENTS WITH 'MENTAL ILLNESS'.
    https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02zivu83jnVamShd1R7MtJUYzZAghSLyvnXQvqrXQi77vR2QV66JzzMMW4TDJRv4yzl&id=100068202590044

    ReplyDelete
  4. MeghanDecember 1, 2023 at 7:22 PM

    As a person who has survived shattering episodes of mental illness: F-k off, Leonard!!! Do something useful with your privileged and pathetic life instead of telling people to kill themselves.

    ReplyDelete