Canadian government is committed to increasing palliative care training.

By Alex Schadenberg 
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Pallium Foundation of Canada on March 8 received the first instalment of a 3 year commitment from the federal government of 3 million dollars per year for palliative care training in Canada. 

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) supports the goals of the Pallium Foundation as essential to building greater access to excellent palliative care in Canada.

Hon Rona Ambrose

The Hon Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health stated:

"Our Government understands the very difficult challenges faced by Canadian families when they are caring for loved ones who need palliative care. This federal support will equip more front-line care providers with the knowledge they need to deliver quality palliative care, in a range of settings, so patients can receive the on-going care they need and deserve. We will continue to work with the provinces and territories, as well as groups like the Pallium Foundation of Canada to ensure that Canadians receive the compassionate care they need."

Kathryn Downer National Director of the Pallium Foundation of Canada stated:

"It is essential that palliative and end-of-life care education be standardized and accessible for all health care providers to increase capacity and to promote a consistent level of quality palliative care throughout Canada"

Dr. Jose Pereira

Dr. Jose Pereira Scientific Director of the Pallium Foundation of Canada stated:

"This funding will go a long way to improve the quality of hospice and palliative care in Canada."

EPC urges the federal government commitment to the Pallium Foundation to continue and increase over the next few years.

Links to similar articles:
Balfour Mount, The father of palliative care, slams Québec's euthanasia bill.
Palliative care specialists in Australia and New Zealand reject euthanasia.
Palliative care leaders reject Québec euthanasia bill.
Canada's Health Minister says no to euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Doctors and people with disabilities oppose Bill C-384

The CBC has reported on the press conference that was held at the parliamentary press gallery this morning by Dr. Jose Pereira and Dr. Jean Bartkowiak.

is particularly unique because of his experience as a palliative care professional in Switzerland where he came into personal contact with legal assisted suicide.

The CBC article is fairly good but it doesn't cover enough of the information that Pereira shared with the media about his personal experience but it does present his opposition to Bill C-384 in a very effective manner.

The article also mentions that Steve Passmore will be protesting Bill C-384 on parliament hill tomorrow while it is being debated in the house. Passmore, a man who was born with disabilities, rightly views Bill C-384 as threatening his life and the lives of other people with disabilities.

Link to the article: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/10/01/ottawa-euthanasia-bill-doctors-pereira.html

The Canadian Medical Association sent a letter to Members of Parliament today explaining why they oppose Bill C-384, the bill that would legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. The message was straight forward and written for a general opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide.

The following is the policy of the Canadian Medical Association on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.
http://policybase.cma.ca/dbtw-wpd/Policypdf/PD07-01.pdf