{"id":36322,"date":"2023-04-12T13:57:51","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T17:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cccc.org\/news_blogs\/?p=36322"},"modified":"2023-04-12T13:57:54","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T17:57:54","slug":"parliamentary-committee-recommends-maid-expansion-expert-witnesses-respond-with-concern-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccc.org\/news_blogs\/legal\/2023\/04\/12\/parliamentary-committee-recommends-maid-expansion-expert-witnesses-respond-with-concern-criticism\/","title":{"rendered":"Parliamentary Committee Recommends MAID Expansion; Expert Witnesses Respond with Concern & Criticism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a>. 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 support of MAID for incarcerated persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As others have noted<\/a>, if the Committee\u2019s recommendations are followed, it would make Canada\u2019s euthanasia laws \u201camong the broadest in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 …it would make Canada\u2019s euthanasia laws \u201camong the broadest in the world\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Shortly after, a group of 43 Expert Witnesses (Experts) issued a response to<\/a> AMAD\u2019s recommendations in a letter that can only be described as a scathing critique. The letter, entitled \u201cExpert Witnesses Speak Out Against Bias in Medical Assistance in Dying Report\u201d does not mince words. It rejects the Committee report on the basis that it \u201cmisconstrues, misrepresents, minimizes and completely ignores key evidence necessary to protect Canadians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we briefly canvas AMAD\u2019s recommendations and the experts\u2019 letter in response, here are a few reasons why these developments matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does MAID Expansion Matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, as with many legal developments, Christian ministries need to be aware of proposed legislation <\/em><\/strong>that will impact the way they provide care, outreach and activities. For example, many of you, our members, serve the elderly, the incarcerated, those with mental illness, children and youth, people with disabilities, and those with illness and disease. It is important to understand the legislative changes that will have a life and death impact on the communities and individuals you serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viewpoint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Second, and more specifically, if your organization has a particular religious or conscientious view<\/em><\/strong> on MAID that would, for example, impact membership or board composition (a matter discussed in past CCCC publications<\/a>), it is important that those views be appropriately reflected in various documents. Depending on the nature of your organization those documents could include bylaws, policies and procedures, statements of faith, or otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engagement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Third, depending on your charity\u2019s purpose(s), you may want to engage with the public<\/em><\/strong> and\/or government on these issues<\/a>. For example, your charity might be well positioned to provide information related to your charitable purpose to inform or persuade the public about policy, to advocate to oppose or change law or policies, make representations to government, or convene forums for discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fourth, it reinforces the urgent need for the care and support <\/em><\/strong>that charities like you, our members, provide. As others have set out in detail<\/a> and courts have noted, \u201cpsychological suffering (either alone or in combination with physical suffering) ha[s] contributed to 94% of MAID cases in Quebec.\u201d News reports tell heartbreaking stories of people applying for MAID due to fears of homelessness<\/a>, lack of accessible housing<\/a>, poverty and disability<\/a>, and MAID being offered to veterans suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder<\/a>. Whether your charity alleviates poverty, advances religion or has other purposes, support and care for those with disabilities, mental illness, those in poverty or homelessness, your work is needed. The support your charity provides can reduce social isolation, love and care for vulnerable, give hope, and nurture both psychological and spiritual well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In sum, these proposed changes will have a significant and permanent impact on the social, charitable, cultural, medical, ethical and legal landscape in Canada. Let\u2019s take a quick look at some of AMAD\u2019s recommendations and the experts\u2019 response letter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Committee was established in April 2021 to review the state of palliative care in Canada and to review MAID and mental illness, mature minors, advance requests, and the protection of Canadians with disabilities, as required by Bill C-14<\/a> and Bill C-7<\/a>, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Committee\u2019s Report & Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Committee\u2019s Report 138-page report has 23 recommendations and was presented to Parliament on February 15, 2023. The Report also includes an important dissenting opinion (see page 105).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recommendations include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n