Vol. 14

Q u i - v i v e   

  Living With Dignity Newsletter
  Vol. 14

A Word from the Director

Euthanasia continues to ravage our society at a rate that surprises many ill-advised people. The first year of euthanasia in Quebec ended with troubling findings (>>).

On the one hand, the number of euthanasias increases exponentially (>>) with more than 300 euthanasias in one year, according to statistics - still partial - as of January 10. At the same time, the "safeguards" are already starting to crumble: 21 cases of abuse have already been identified by the Commission (>>), but there will be no consequences for the doctors at fault (>>).

On the other hand, the "end of life" criterion, once presented as essential in order to be able to pass the law, is already under strong pressure. Indeed, we are witnessing a growing and worrying phenomenon which aims to strike it down: many people not eligible for euthanasia because they are not at the end of their lives, go on hunger strikes, which means death by fasting (>>).

Finally, the obvious link between suicide and "medical aid in dying" has already caused the death of many people who needed help and suicide prevention. The media indeed reported that some doctors have let patients die at the hospital emergency after a suicide attempt (>>).

On the other hand, this sad portrait of the foreseeable consequences of euthanasia has recently found a sordid echo with the publication of a study in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association which concludes that the Canadian healthcare system could save millions of dollars per year, depending on the number of euthanasia deaths (>>).

Of course, Living with Dignity spoke out against the disasters of this first year of euthanasia in Quebec. We sent a press release to the media (>>) to express our concern that the government is prioritizing euthanasia to the detriment of palliative care. In addition, I had the opportunity to express myself in a ten-minute interview given to a French-language radio station in Québec City (>>).

There are still many battles ahead this year as the pressure to extend euthanasia will continue in order to make this practice socially acceptable. We are counting on your support (>>) so that we can continue to promote the importance of health care accessible for all and explain to people and to public authorities the risks and dangers associated with euthanasia and assisted suicide, especially for vulnerable people.

Thank you in advance for your support.

In solidarity,

______________________________

Aubert MARTIN, executive director, Living with Dignity

 

News in Quebec

  • January 10, 2017: the number of cases of euthanasia in Quebec exceeds expectations (again) (>>)
  • January 14, 2017: Quebec bioethicists publish an article calling for organ donation after euthanasia. (>>)
  • January 17, 2017: a patient’s rights advocate argues that there are harsher consequences for mistreating animals than humans in Quebec. (>>)
  • January 22, 2017: a survey reveals that the majority of health workers are stressed out. (>>)

 

News in Canada

  • December 29: 744 cases of euthanasia occurred in Canada in 2016 and half of them were in Quebec. (>>)
  • December 30: the government of Ontario proposes legislation to complement the federal law by requiring that all euthanasia and assisted suicide cases be reported to the Coroner. (>>)
  • January 15: far more requests for assisted suicide than anticipated in Manitoba (>>)
  • January 16: an article published in the Journal of Medical Ethics argues for permitting the collection of organs from euthanized persons (>>)
  • January 23: a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal concludes that assisted dying could save money. (>>)

 

Living with Dignity in the media (English and French)

  • Euthanasie au Québec…il y a eu des DÉRAPAGES: en entrevue à l'émission "Maurais Live (Radio X, Québec), Aubert Martin dénonce le laisser-aller depuis l’implantation de l’aide médicale à mourir. Écouter l’émission >>
  • A First Year of Euthanasia in Quebec: our press release that was sent to more than 300 journalists. Read the presse release >>

 

PHYSICIANS' ALLIANCE AGAINST EUTHANASIA 

  • FM93 : Bouchard en parle de 17 janvier : Le perspective de Dr Catherine Ferrier se présent dans une émission sur FM93 Écoutez l’émission >>
  • Forte hausse des demandes d'aide médicale à mourir dans la région de Québec : Un extrait d’une interview avec Dr Catherine Ferrier sur l’augmentation des demandes d’aide médicale à mourir au Québec. Lire l’article >>

 

Take action in February

  • SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS so that we can continue to speak on your behalf:

           

  • Purchase the Euthanasia Deception Documentary, a thought-provoking, emotionally-gripping film that will impact hearts and minds by effectively dismantling the fallacies of euthanasia proponents’ appeals to compassion and autonomy. APurchase or rent documentary here >>
  • Support Project Value by liking their Facebook page (>>). This initiative offers videos made by people with disabilities to challenge the popular idea of what it means to have a disability. Each video begins with a description of the diagnosis and prognosis of the person and a description of their functional limitations. Then the person talks about their quality and value of life beyond their condition. Share!

Press Review (English and French)

  • A flight from mystery: People who espouse “progressive values”, who include those advocating for the legalization of euthanasia, adopt a mantra of “choice, change and control”. However, this mantra presents an illusion of control that is not present in life. Read more >>
  • Can we still ask questions? With regard to euthanasia, Belgium plays a pioneering role, but that isn't to say that everything is in perfect order, says a group of ethicists and doctors. Read more >>
  • Psychiatric euthanasia: salvos across the Atlantic: The development of the idea and then the availability of euthanasia for psychiatric reasons is something that few people, if any, could have foreseen. Yet it is now starting to be seriously considered in many places that have legalized euthanasia. Read more >>
  • The Slippery Slope-Tactics in the Assisted Suicide Movement: Piecemeal victories for “right to die” activists have, over the years, resulted in a gradual erosion of limits to assisted suicide in true slippery slope form. Read more >>
  • Linking headlines: post-truth, euthanasia and elder abuse: Three seemingly unrelated topical events and phenomena may spell trouble for Australia’s future when considered together. Read more >>
  • One Man’s Quest to Change the Way We Die: How B.J. Miller, a doctor and triple amputee, used his own experience to pioneer a new model of palliative care at a small, quirky hospice in San Francisco. Read more >>
  • Bienvenue à Écono-Land: texte de réflexion qui critique l'étude selon laquelle l’État pourrait faire des économies grâce à l’aide médicale à mourir. Lire l'article >>
  • « Demandez de l'aide », disent-ils : On dit souvent à ceux qui souffrent dans leur tête : demandez de l'aide. Mais parfois, même en cherchant de l’aide dans notre système médical, on ne le trouve pas. Lire l’article >>
  • « Le CHSLD est devenu la panacée » : L’image est frappante. Le modèle des CHSLD n’est pas adapté pour tous les résidents et une importante réforme s’impose selon l’ancien ministre péquiste de la Santé et gériatre Réjean Hébert. Lire l’article >>
  • L'euthanasie des malades psychiatriques est-elle non éthique? Professeur d'éthique, Willem Lemmens, réagit à la critique américaine de la loi belge sur l'euthanasie. Lire l’article >>
  • Soin de fin de vie et euthanasie : Une réaction à la lettre de Marc Therrien, publiée dans Le Devoir du 9 décembre parle de la signifiance de pas trafiquer le sens des mots. Lire l’article >>
  • Pour la dignité de leurs enfants handicapés : Des mères déplorent l’absence de tables à langer de format adulte dans les lieux publics du Québec, ce qui les force à changer les couches de leurs enfants handicapés sur le sol de toilettes publiques ou devant des étrangers. Elles demandent au gouvernement d’agir. Lire l’article >>

 

Euthanasia and assisted suicide news around the world (English and French)

  • BELGIUM: Europe’s morality crisis: Euthanizing the mentally ill: Once prohibited — indeed, unthinkable — the euthanasia of people with mental illnesses or cognitive disorders, including dementia, is now a common occurrence in Belgium and the Netherlands. Read more >>
  • FINLAND: Finland set to debate euthanasia: A citizen's initiative to raise the issue of euthanasia in the Finnish Parliament has passed the requisite 50,000 signatories required to trigger a parliamentary debate. Read more >>
  • UNITED STATES (HAWAII): Hawaii Suicide Bill Abandons “Safeguards”: Attempts to legalize assisted suicide in Hawaii follow the same patter of loose framing that similar bills in other U.S. states featured. Read more >>
  • UNITED STATES (MINNESOTA): Great News: Minnesota appeals court upheld conviction for assisted suicide: The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of the Final Exit Network in the assisted suicide death of Doreen Dunn who died May 30, 2007. Read more >>
  • UNITED STATES (MINNESOTA): State appeals court upholds Final Exit's felony conviction for assisted suicide: The Minnesota Court of Appeals let stand the conviction of a national right-to-die group that assisted in the 2007 suicide of a Dakota County woman. Read more >>
  • UNITED STATES (OHIO): Ohio makes assisted suicide a felony: Ohio legislature has passed a bill making assisted suicide a third-degree felony in the state. Read more >>
  • UNITED STATES (WASHINGTON D.C.): Washington D.C. Mayor Signs Bill Legalizing Assisted Suicide, Will Target Blacks and Lead to Abuses: D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser signed an assisted suicide bill into law despite strong opposition from the black community, disability rights advocates, medial professionals, and others. Read more >>
  • UNITED STATES: American Psychiatric Association takes historic stand on assisted suicide and euthanasia: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has taken a formal stance against euthanasia saying, “…a psychiatrist should not prescribe or administer any intervention to a non-terminally ill person for the purpose of causing death.” Read more >>

 

Videos to watch (French and English)

  • The Euthanasia Deception Documentary: Watch trailer >>
  • Documentary on Euthanasia in Belgium: What is the role of law and politics when it comes to shaping a culture that values life at all stages? The Brussels office of ADF International launched the campaign “Affirming Dignity”. It features a short documentary and a series of videos raising this and other questions concerning euthanasia laws in Belgium and the Netherland. Watch video >>
  • Documentaire sur l'euthanasie en Belgique: Quel est le rôle du droit et de la politique lorsqu'il s'agit de construire une culture valorisant la vie à chaque instant ? Le bureau bruxellois d'ADF International a lancé la campagne « Affirmer la dignité ». Plusieurs vidéos de court métrage traitent de cette question de société et demandent un nouveau débat sur ce qu’est la mort dans la dignité. Regarder la vidéo >>

 

To make a donation is... to take action!

Our organization would not exist without the support of people who share our vision of human solidarity and our mission to promote good palliative care for all. With your contribution, we can act on your behalf by advocating in person (conferences, panels), in the media (interviews, articles, press releases), and on social networks (blogs, website, Facebook, Twitter).

Thus, by contributing, you are directly participating in defending future generations, especially vulnerable people, threatened by euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.

Thank you for your active support!

 

25
JAN
2017
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