 |
| Gordon Friesen |
President, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
I think it is fair to say that the world-wide euthanasia/assisted-suicide/medical-homicide debate has recently entered a new phase.
For as long as I can remember, a relentless click-clack, click-clack, click-clack, political ratchet sound had signalled "progress" in one direction alone: more legal jurisdictions; wider eligibility; increasingly limited access to real care.
Article: Alberta Bill 18 will provide limits to euthanasia (MAiD) (Read).
Our victories were counted in the defeat of euthanasia and assisted suicide bills. And, even while celebrating, we knew that the same people would be back, next year, in the same states or countries, with the same bills (or perhaps something even worse).
In the last few years, huge chunks of cultural geography seemed poised to totter all at once, notably including the entire British diaspora of UK, Wales, Scotland, the Chanel Islands, Australia, New Zealand, and of course, Canada. France too, had lately joined the contest, along with the rest of Southern Europe. And in the US the "progressive" bastions of Illinois, and New York, finally managed to eke out a long awaited pro-death majority.
But now, it would seem that the winds may indeed be changing. For although its former satellites --Australia, Canada, and more-- have indeed forged ahead in radical fashion, The UK itself including all its main constituents (England, Scotland) has not. And while France has been teetering for years, against all lucid prediction: it teeters still.
And then something amazing occurred. Slovenian legislators legalized euthanasia in July 2025, according to the same "the fix is in" international playbook that we see advanced elsewhere. But the Slovenian people suddenly rose up and reversed that decision with a binding referendum, in November of the same year!
Apparently, this tiny victory, in a nation of only 2 million souls, is destined to be recorded in history as that first infinitesimal crack in an apparently indestructible wall, which clearly foretells (for those who can read the signs) a future collapse of the entire structure. For in this instance, a euthanasia legalizing initiative was not merely postponed, but frankly rolled back.
To be clear on this point: unlike any number of American States, Slovenians will not face a new euthanasia initiative next year. And this, in exactly the same way that an overturned US Supreme Court decision never results in new legislation, to the same effect, for at least a generation.
Quite frankly, I think most people assumed (or at least feared) that this victory would be a one-off, and that the death-cult steam-roller would continue unabated as before.
But now we have Alberta, one of ten Canadian Provinces which suddenly says:
"No, Canada may render an extended practice of legal euthanasia, but the Province of Alberta will limit such practice within the bounds of public healthcare."
Once again, as in Slovenia, what is already legal (and in the Canadian context what had been actual practice going back five years) will be halted. Not a prevention. A roll-back!
In a little while it will be appropriate to say something more specific about the meaning of Alberta Bill 18 for Canada, and especially, for other Canadian Provinces. But for today, I would simply like to make two international remarks.
First: it can be done!
Defeating a Bill in your jurisdiction is not necessarily a temporary victory. It is possible that you have stopped this madness permanently. And furthermore --just as in Slovenia and Alberta-- even losing is not the end of rational hope. Evil policy can actually be reversed. We have the proof!
My second remark, however, is more sobering: The popping of champagne corks, that we hear in Canada today, is to celebrate rolling back the demented policy of that nation in only one of ten Provinces; and even there, only to the original state of euthanasia law in 2016, which was then the most radical in the world.
The number one lesson of Alberta, in the US and around the world, is therefore this:
If you do not wish to find yourself in a similar situation to that described, it is imperative to invest yourself, now, in the struggle to prevent any legalization, whatsoever, in whatever jurisdiction you cherish as your home.
No comments:
Post a Comment