{"id":28720,"date":"2020-01-21T08:48:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-21T13:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=28720"},"modified":"2020-01-21T08:48:25","modified_gmt":"2020-01-21T13:48:25","slug":"euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/","title":{"rendered":"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/img\/web_banner_main.jpg?w=625&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The federal government is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/index.html\">asking for your feedback<\/a> about expanding access to &#8220;medical assistance in dying&#8221; (MAID), a euphemism for euthanasia or assisted suicide. Whichever term you choose, we are talking about the intentional killing of human beings, a matter of serious concern for the Christian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why now? What has prompted the online questionnaire? According to the website there are two main drivers: first, the <a href=\"http:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/j4f8t\"><em>Truchon v Attorney General of Canada<\/em><\/a><a href=\"#_edn1\"><strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a>decision from September 2019; and second, the upcoming MAID review this summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>Truchon<\/em>\nthe Quebec Superior Court heard a constitutional challenge to the requirement\nthat death be reasonably foreseeable to be eligible for MAID. That is only one\nof several criteria a patient must meet in order to be eligible. Currently, the\npatient must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Be at least 18 years old<\/li><li>Have a grievous and irremediable medical\ncondition (further defined as summarized below)<\/li><li>Have made a voluntary request<\/li><li>Give informed consent, even after being told\nabout alternative options, including palliative care<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is the\nfurther definition of a \u201cgrievous and irremediable\u201d condition that requires\nreasonable foreseeability of death. In addition, the patient must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Have a serious and incurable illness, disease or\ndisability<\/li><li>Be in an advanced state of irreversible decline\nin capability<\/li><li>Experience, as a result of the illness, disease\nor disability, enduring physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable\nto them and that cannot be relieved under conditions he or she deems acceptable\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The court\ndeclared reasonable foreseeability of death an unconstitutional requirement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the\ncourt claimed to \u201cfully understand\u201d warnings about the danger related to social\nnormalization of MAID and the societal perception of the value of people with\nphysical or intellectual disabilities, it &nbsp;concluded that \u201cwe cannot, in the name of\nprotecting certain persons from themselves or of socially affirming the value\nof life, deny medical assistance in dying\u201d to entire groups of people.<a href=\"#_edn2\">[2]<\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The court also\nheld that the negative effects of requiring reasonable foreseeability of death\nwere \u201cby far greater than the expected benefits to society as a whole\u201d if a\nforeseeable death was not required. That requirement was held to violate the <em>Charter,\n<\/em>principles of self-determination, dignity and autonomy. To hold otherwise\nwould be \u201cforcing\u201d people to \u201ccontinue a life that no longer has any meaning.\u201d<a href=\"#_edn3\">[3]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I pause here to note that even as the Quebec court held that \u201cforcing\u201d people to live offends the <em>Charter, <\/em>an Ontario court <a href=\"http:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/j08wq\">last year held<\/a> that forcing physicians to participate by referring patients for MAID <em>does not<\/em> offend the <em>Charter.<\/em><a href=\"#_edn4\"><strong>[4]<\/strong><\/a><em> <\/em>This is a dangerous convergence: expanding state-authorized euthanasia while at the same time restricting conscientious objection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of\nappealing the decision (which it could have done), the federal government chose\nto let the decision stand. The ruling, and the elimination of reasonable\nforeseeability, will come into effect on March 11, 2020. As noted on the\nquestionnaire website, \u201cwhile this ruling only applies in the province of\nQuebec, the <strong>Government of Canada has accepted the ruling<\/strong> and has <strong>committed\nto changing the MAID law<\/strong> for the whole country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In what I\nthink is a key phrase about the context and objectives of the questionnaire,\nthe site explains: \u201cupdating Canada\u2019s MAID law <strong>will expand eligibility<\/strong>\nfor MAID <strong>beyond people who are nearing the end of life<\/strong>, and <strong>could\npossibly result in other changes.<\/strong>\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, while\nthis consultation is important, the government clearly made its decision about\nexpanding MAID when it refused to appeal the <em>Truchon<\/em> decision. Now it is\nnot a matter of <em>whether<\/em> eligibility will be expanded, but <em>how far<\/em>\nand <em>what \u201csafeguards\u201d<\/em> will be implemented. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those\nquestions will be essential for the MAID review this summer. The review is a\nrequirement of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parl.ca\/DocumentViewer\/en\/42-1\/bill\/C-14\/royal-assent\">2016\nchanges<\/a> to the Criminal Code that created an <a href=\"https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/acts\/c-46\/page-53.html#docCont\">exemption\nfor MAID<\/a>, as described above. It is\nimportant to observe that with this single legislative change, what was a\ncriminal offence was transformed into a legal act; proponents would go further\nand say that MAID is not only legal, but moral, ethical, and good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of\nthe review, the 2016 amendments directed one or more independent reviews to\nconsider MAID requests for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mature minors \u2013 children who are considered\nmature enough to consent to their own medical treatment<\/li><li>Advance requests \u2013 where at the time of death\nthe patient would not have the capacity to consent<\/li><li>Mental illness \u2013 where mental illness is the\nsole underlying medical condition <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Canadian\nCouncil of Academies has already completed a review of these topics and\nreleased <a href=\"https:\/\/cca-reports.ca\/reports\/medical-assistance-in-dying\/\">three\nfinal reports in December 2018<\/a>. Each of these justify a lengthy discussion\non their own, but that will have to await a future post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As one of my\nCCCC\u2019s colleagues observed, it is heartbreaking to see courts reflect and\naffirm the notion that life is meaningless for people with disability or\nillness; that suffering is meaningless; that suffering is to be avoided at all\ncosts even if it undermines the inherent worth of each human being. It is also\nheartbreaking to see that we are quickly moving so quickly to expand MAID. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Kerry\nBowman, a Clinical Ethicist at Mount Sinai Hospital who is generally supportive\nof MAID, recently expressed concern in a <a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/braun-will-medical-aid-in-dying-terminate-compassion-for-some\">media\ninterview<\/a> that, \u201cthe day will come when we\u2019ll see a person in a wheelchair,\nwith whatever disability, and rather than think, \u2018Can I be of any help to\nthem?\u2019 we\u2019re going to think, \u2018Why would they do that to other people and to\nsociety? Why wouldn\u2019t that person move on?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Christians we know that our worth is not contingent on utilitarian measures of what we can contribute, how our physical bodies function, our degree of happiness, or any other human metric we may develop. It is based on the fact that we are created in the image of God. We also recognize that Christ suffered for us; it is by his wounds we are healed. Our nation needs a message of healing and hope more than ever. Make your voice heard \u2013 complete the questionnaire and take the opportunity to provide important feedback about the value of life and the concerns you have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The MAID questionnaire is open until Monday, January 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. (PST).<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re\nlooking for more, here are a few additional resources to inform you on the\nissue of MAID, its expansion, conscience rights, and how you can engage on this\nissue beyond the questionnaire:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barry Bussey,\n\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/ssrn.com\/abstract=3183767\">The Right of Religious Hospitals\nto Refuse Physician-Assisted Suicide<\/a>\u201d (2018) 85 SCLR (2d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Derek Ross\nand Deina Warren, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/ssrn.com\/abstract=3505469\">Religious\nEquality: Restoring Section 15\u2019s Hollowed Ground<\/a>\u201d (2019) 91 SCLR (2d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barry\nBussey, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/barry\/2019\/11\/22\/getting-serious-about-conscience-rights\/\">Getting\nSerious About Conscience Rights<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Christian\nLegal Fellowship, Background Paper \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/static1.squarespace.com\/static\/57503f9022482e2aa29ab3af\/t\/59d8151f90bade192aecd5eb\/1507333409139\/CCA+Call+for+Input+-+CLF+Background+Paper+-+OCT+6+2017.pdf\">Euthanasia\nand Physician-Assisted Suicide in the Case of Mature Minors, Advance Requests,\nand Mental Illness: Legal, Ethical, Cultural, and Clinical Considerations<\/a>\u201d\n(6 October 2017)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Christian\nLegal Fellowship, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.christianlegalfellowship.org\/blog\/2017\/10\/11\/clf-makes-written-submission-to-the-council-of-canadian-academies-re-expanding-euthanasia-mature-minors-mental-illness-advance-requests\">Submission\nto the Canadian Council of Academies on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada<\/a>\n(6 October 2017)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evangelical\nFellowship of Canada, <a href=\"https:\/\/files.evangelicalfellowship.ca\/si\/Euthanasia\/Euthanasia-CCA-2017-submission.pdf\">Submission\nto the Canadian Council of Academies on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada<\/a>\n(3 October 2017)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evangelical\nFellowship of Canada, <a href=\"http:\/\/files.efc-canada.net\/si\/Euthanasia\/EuthBriefKit-notes.pdf\">Briefing\nNotes on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide<\/a> (April 2016)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Evangelical\nFellowship of Canada, <a href=\"https:\/\/files.evangelicalfellowship.ca\/si\/Euthanasia\/euth-sample-letter-to-Justice-Minister-Jan-2020.pdf\">sample\nletter to the Minister of Justice<\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref1\">[1]<\/a>\n2019 QCCS 3792<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref2\">[2]<\/a> <em>Ibid<\/em>,\nat paras 304-310<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref3\">[3]<\/a> <em>Ibid<\/em>,\nat paras 625-638<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"#_ednref4\">[4]<\/a>\nFor more on the <a href=\"http:\/\/canlii.ca\/t\/j08wq\"><em>CMDS v CPSO<\/em> decision<\/a>,\nsee my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/bulletin_article\/538\">Horizons column<\/a> <em>CCCC<\/em>\n<em>Bulletin<\/em> (2019:3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The federal government is asking for your feedback about expanding access to &#8220;medical assistance in dying&#8221; (MAID), a euphemism for euthanasia or assisted suicide. Whichever term you choose, we are talking about the intentional killing of human beings, a matter of serious concern for the Christian. Why now? What has&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/\" class=\"linkbutton\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ts_fic_featured_image_caption":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[144,146,137],"tags":[398,369,418,387],"series":[],"class_list":["post-28720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-law-and-religion-2","category-political-philosophy","category-uncategorized","tag-charter-of-rights-and-freedoms","tag-conscience","tag-consultation","tag-maid"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think - CCCC Blogs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think - CCCC Blogs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The federal government is asking for your feedback about expanding access to &#8220;medical assistance in dying&#8221; (MAID), a euphemism for euthanasia or assisted suicide. Whichever term you choose, we are talking about the intentional killing of human beings, a matter of serious concern for the Christian. Why now? What has... More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CCCC Blogs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CCCCCharities\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-01-21T13:48:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-01-21T13:48:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/img\/web_banner_main.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Deina Warren\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@cccccharities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@cccccharities\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Deina Warren\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Deina Warren\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ebdf91372c7d841de19e5a1eb3344c97\"},\"headline\":\"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-01-21T13:48:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-01-21T13:48:25+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1203,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.justice.gc.ca\\\/eng\\\/cons\\\/ad-am\\\/img\\\/web_banner_main.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Charter of Rights and Freedoms\",\"Conscience\",\"Consultation\",\"MAiD\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Law and Religion\",\"Political Philosophy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/\",\"name\":\"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think - CCCC Blogs\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.justice.gc.ca\\\/eng\\\/cons\\\/ad-am\\\/img\\\/web_banner_main.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-01-21T13:48:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-01-21T13:48:25+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.justice.gc.ca\\\/eng\\\/cons\\\/ad-am\\\/img\\\/web_banner_main.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.justice.gc.ca\\\/eng\\\/cons\\\/ad-am\\\/img\\\/web_banner_main.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/legal\\\/2020\\\/01\\\/21\\\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/\",\"name\":\"CCCC News &amp; Blogs\",\"description\":\"CCCC Blogs\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Canadian Centre for Christian Charities\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/10\\\/260wbRGB.png?fit=260%2C260&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/10\\\/260wbRGB.png?fit=260%2C260&ssl=1\",\"width\":260,\"height\":260,\"caption\":\"Canadian Centre for Christian Charities\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/CCCCCharities\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/cccccharities\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/canadian-council-of-christian-charities\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/ebdf91372c7d841de19e5a1eb3344c97\",\"name\":\"Deina Warren\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/2fffd55f4003e713f308c93fe98b05eb4c7911940d0e4a7e183cd3456e4c9356?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/2fffd55f4003e713f308c93fe98b05eb4c7911940d0e4a7e183cd3456e4c9356?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/2fffd55f4003e713f308c93fe98b05eb4c7911940d0e4a7e183cd3456e4c9356?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Deina Warren\"},\"description\":\"The content provided in this blog is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Every organization\u2019s circumstances are unique. Before acting on the basis of information contained in this blog, readers should consult with a qualified lawyer for advice specific to their situation.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.cccc.org\",\"simone.waller@cccc.org\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cccc.org\\\/news_blogs\\\/author\\\/legal\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think - CCCC Blogs","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think - CCCC Blogs","og_description":"The federal government is asking for your feedback about expanding access to &#8220;medical assistance in dying&#8221; (MAID), a euphemism for euthanasia or assisted suicide. Whichever term you choose, we are talking about the intentional killing of human beings, a matter of serious concern for the Christian. Why now? What has... More","og_url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/","og_site_name":"CCCC Blogs","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CCCCCharities","article_published_time":"2020-01-21T13:48:18+00:00","article_modified_time":"2020-01-21T13:48:25+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/img\/web_banner_main.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Deina Warren","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@cccccharities","twitter_site":"@cccccharities","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Deina Warren","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/"},"author":{"name":"Deina Warren","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#\/schema\/person\/ebdf91372c7d841de19e5a1eb3344c97"},"headline":"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think","datePublished":"2020-01-21T13:48:18+00:00","dateModified":"2020-01-21T13:48:25+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/"},"wordCount":1203,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/img\/web_banner_main.jpg","keywords":["Charter of Rights and Freedoms","Conscience","Consultation","MAiD"],"articleSection":["Law and Religion","Political Philosophy"],"inLanguage":"en-CA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/","url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/","name":"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think - CCCC Blogs","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/img\/web_banner_main.jpg","datePublished":"2020-01-21T13:48:18+00:00","dateModified":"2020-01-21T13:48:25+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-CA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-CA","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/img\/web_banner_main.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/cons\/ad-am\/img\/web_banner_main.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/01\/21\/euthanasia-tell-the-government-what-you-think\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Euthanasia: Tell the Government what You Think"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/","name":"CCCC News &amp; Blogs","description":"CCCC Blogs","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-CA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#organization","name":"Canadian Centre for Christian Charities","url":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-CA","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/260wbRGB.png?fit=260%2C260&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/260wbRGB.png?fit=260%2C260&ssl=1","width":260,"height":260,"caption":"Canadian Centre for Christian Charities"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CCCCCharities","https:\/\/x.com\/cccccharities","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/canadian-council-of-christian-charities"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/#\/schema\/person\/ebdf91372c7d841de19e5a1eb3344c97","name":"Deina Warren","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-CA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2fffd55f4003e713f308c93fe98b05eb4c7911940d0e4a7e183cd3456e4c9356?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2fffd55f4003e713f308c93fe98b05eb4c7911940d0e4a7e183cd3456e4c9356?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2fffd55f4003e713f308c93fe98b05eb4c7911940d0e4a7e183cd3456e4c9356?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Deina Warren"},"description":"The content provided in this blog is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Every organization\u2019s circumstances are unique. Before acting on the basis of information contained in this blog, readers should consult with a qualified lawyer for advice specific to their situation.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.cccc.org","simone.waller@cccc.org"],"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/author\/legal\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":36322,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2023\/04\/12\/parliamentary-committee-recommends-maid-expansion-expert-witnesses-respond-with-concern-criticism\/","url_meta":{"origin":28720,"position":0},"title":"Parliamentary Committee Recommends MAID Expansion; Expert Witnesses Respond with Concern &#038; Criticism","author":"Deina Warren","date":"April 12, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"In February, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (AMAD) issued its final report, Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada: Choices for Canadians. The report recommends significant and unprecedented expansion of medical assistance in dying (euthanasia and assisted suicide; \u201cMAID\u201d), including for children, by advance directive, and in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"charities\"","block_context":{"text":"charities","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/charities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MAID-02.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MAID-02.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MAID-02.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":36986,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2023\/08\/03\/hot-off-the-press-a-brand-new-book-on-maid-in-canada\/","url_meta":{"origin":28720,"position":1},"title":"Hot off the Press! A Brand New Book on MAID in Canada","author":"Deina Warren","date":"August 3, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"We have exciting news to share with you! A new peer-reviewed book, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in Canada: Key Multidisciplinary Perspectives has just been released. The book, published by Springer Academic and edited by Jaro Kotalik and David W. Shannon, features 31 chapters by experts from multiple disciplines, to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Book\"","block_context":{"text":"Book","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/book\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/sincerely-media-vcF5y2Edm6A-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/sincerely-media-vcF5y2Edm6A-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/sincerely-media-vcF5y2Edm6A-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/sincerely-media-vcF5y2Edm6A-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/sincerely-media-vcF5y2Edm6A-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29142,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2020\/06\/02\/a-call-to-prayer-for-life\/","url_meta":{"origin":28720,"position":2},"title":"A Call to Prayer for Life","author":"Deina Warren","date":"June 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"In many parts of our nation, COVID-19 has uncovered a tragic neglect of our elderly within long-term care homes. It reminds us of the need for a Christian affirmation of the value and dignity of life, from beginning to end, and the important role of ministries and organizations in sharing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Church &amp; Culture\"","block_context":{"text":"Church &amp; Culture","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/church-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/20200601-Delta-Hospice-Call-to-Prayer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/20200601-Delta-Hospice-Call-to-Prayer.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/20200601-Delta-Hospice-Call-to-Prayer.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/20200601-Delta-Hospice-Call-to-Prayer.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31100,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2021\/02\/12\/bill-c-7-an-act-to-amend-the-criminal-code-medical-assistance-in-dying\/","url_meta":{"origin":28720,"position":3},"title":"Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)","author":"Deina Warren","date":"February 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATE: On February 17 the Senate passed Bill C-7 and sent a message to the House of Commons with the amendments it adopted, as summarized below. Senate amendments expand MAID As our regular readers will know, Bill C-7 proposes to significantly expand euthanasia. By euthanasia we mean the purposeful act\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"MAiD\"","block_context":{"text":"MAiD","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/maid\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/MAID-04.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/MAID-04.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/MAID-04.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38512,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/cccc\/2025\/05\/22\/providence-intervention\/","url_meta":{"origin":28720,"position":4},"title":"Protecting Conscience Rights: CCCC to Intervene in BC Euthanasia Case","author":"CCCC","date":"May 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In April 2025, CCCC was granted intervenor status in a landmark case that asks: Can a religious healthcare institution be compelled to perform euthanasia? Factual Context The case arises in the context of a young woman with incurable cancer who was admitted to St. Paul\u2019s Hospital, operated by Providence Health\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"charities\"","block_context":{"text":"charities","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/charities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/providence1.jpg?fit=542%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/providence1.jpg?fit=542%2C542&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/providence1.jpg?fit=542%2C542&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38913,"url":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2026\/03\/30\/albertas-bill-18-proposes-important-safeguards-to-maid-regime\/","url_meta":{"origin":28720,"position":5},"title":"Alberta&#8217;s Bill -18 Proposes Important Safeguards to MAID Regime","author":"Deina Warren","date":"March 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"On March 18, 2026, the Alberta government introduced Bill 18, Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act, 2nd Sess, 31st Leg, 2026 (Bill 18). Key Elements of Bill 18 Bill 18 would address many deep concerns about the rapid expansion and lack of oversight of Canada\u2019s medical assistance in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"charities\"","block_context":{"text":"charities","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/tag\/charities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-18-Blog-from-LB-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-18-Blog-from-LB-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Image-for-Bill-18-Blog-from-LB-dated-March-30-2026-.png?fit=600%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p30X8p-7te","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28720\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28720"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=28720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}