The Government of Canada is asking for public feedback on their plan to expand access to medically-assisted suicide. We encourage you to complete the government’s survey before it closes on Monday, January 27, 2020.
Last year, the Quebec Superior Court ruled it is unconstitutional to limit access to assisted suicide only to those with life-threatening illnesses. The federal government is planning to change assisted suicide legislation throughout the country in response to this ruling.
The federal government has previously stated it is interested in studying:
The government’s survey is long, convoluted and doesn’t provide many opportunities to challenge the expansion of assisted suicide. It also assumes Canadians support assisted suicide. However, we strongly encourage you to fill it out before January 27.
The government needs to know that Canada’s 13 million Catholics oppose assisted suicide, in all its forms. We must do all that we can to protect those who are vulnerable should an expanded criteria be introduced.
In the survey, there are a few opportunities to provide additional comments. In those spaces, it would be helpful if you respectfully told the government, in your own words, that you oppose assisted suicide. In addition to the information noted below, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition provides guidance on a suggested approach to each question of the survey. You can find that resource here.
Your personal stories would be most helpful, but here are some arguments and facts that could help you make your point:
We thank you for your engagement and we ask you to continue to watch this file. The government is expected to start work on its five-year review of assisted suicide later this year, so there will be more work to be done to help the vulnerable. We pray for all those who are sick and suffering and those who care for them.