Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Sylvie Bérubé BQ MP (Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou) is sponsoring Bill C-390 which would expand Canada's euthanasia law.
Sylvie Bérubé BQ MP and Luc Thériault BQ MP (Montcalm) held a press conference on May 22 to announce that they have introduced Bill C-390 to expand Canada's (MAiD) euthanasia law to, among other areas, permit euthanasia by advanced request.
Bill C-390 would expand Canada's euthanasia law by adding to each section of the law - the words:
Bill C-390 would expand Canada's euthanasia law by adding to each section of the law - the words:
"or an applicable provincial framework."
In June 2023 Québec expanded their provincial euthanasia law by passing Bill 11 expanding euthanasia in Québec by:
- creating an obligation for palliative care homes to offer MAID;
- offering MAID in cases of serious physical disability;
- offering MAID by advance request*
Amending Canada's federal euthanasia law based on Bill C-390 would expand euthanasia enabling it to be decided by an advanced request, by causing federal legislation to be changed when a Province changes it's provincial legislation.
The federal report by the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD) that was tabled in the House of Commons on February 15, 2023 called for an expansion of euthanasia (MAiD) in Canada. The report recommended that children "mature minors" and patients with mental illnesses be eligible for euthanasia and that patients with illnesses such as dementia be permitted to make advanced requests by advanced directives for euthanasia.
Euthanasia (killing) is bad enough, but killing by advanced request changes the nature of consent, meaning, someone can be killed without a clear and present consent. When consent becomes secondary, it changes the question of who can be killed by lethal injection.
Provincial governments have the ability to amend the practise of euthanasia in their jurisdiction. Bill C-390 would allow provinces, such as Québec, to change their provincial law with it resulting in an immediate change to the federal law.
Provincial governments have the ability to amend the practise of euthanasia in their jurisdiction. Bill C-390 would allow provinces, such as Québec, to change their provincial law with it resulting in an immediate change to the federal law.
It is especially disturbing that changes made by any province would automatically be adopted for the entire country by the federal government.
ReplyDeleteIs the obligation for requiring Palliative care to provide euthanasia binding under law?
ReplyDeleteNo. Palliative care is not obligated to provide euthanasia in some provinces, while in other provinces, such as Quebec and British Columbia, palliative care is obligated to provide euthanasia.
ReplyDeleteHealth care is a provincial jurisdiction so there is some variance in Canada.
Dear Sally:
ReplyDeleteThe concept of giving provinces control over federal law is concerning.
Dear Sally:
ReplyDeleteThe concept of giving provinces control over federal law is concerning.