{"id":13358,"date":"2021-03-19T16:43:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T20:43:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/?p=13358"},"modified":"2021-03-19T16:50:17","modified_gmt":"2021-03-19T20:50:17","slug":"reaction-to-c7-adoption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vivredignite.org\/en\/reaction-to-c7-adoption\/","title":{"rendered":"Reaction to the adoption of Bill C-7"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Image from the Department of Justice of Canada's website<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Following this cold shower,<\/b>
reasons to stay mobilized
<\/b>
A joint reaction by Living with Dignity and the Physicians’ Alliance against Euthanasia 
<\/span>
<\/p>\n

On Wednesday 17th<\/sup> March,\n2021, the Senate voted to adopt the latest version of Bill C-7, proposed by a\nmajority of the House of Commons.  This\nmeans that the new law expanding medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada is\nnow in effect, as described in <\/span>this\npress release from the Department of Justice Canada<\/span><\/a><\/span>. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

For all those who have worked so hard\nto block the expansion of MAiD, this news is like a cold shower.  It further reinforces the dogma of autonomy\nat the expense of the real dignity of individuals. The temptation to throw in\nthe towel in the face of legalized and now expanded MAiD could be strong for\nsome. What’s the point of continuing to mobilize when the dice seem to be cast\nin advance?<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

Here are a few reasons why we should keep\nour heads high and continue to stand together against the torrent of MAiD:<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

– The fight against Bill C-7 has\ndemonstrated beyond any doubt that opposition to MAiD is not a partisan issue.\nVoices from both the left and the right of the political spectrum have been\nheard expressing their concerns about C-7, including the removal of the\nend-of-life criteria. We have enjoyed working with so many disability experts,\npeople with disabilities, Aboriginal leaders and others who have spoken out\nover the past few months. Important relationships have developed and we must continue\nto build on them.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

– Within the next 30 days, a\nparliamentary review of the MAiD legislation in Canada will begin. We will need\nto follow closely the progress of these discussions which will focus on the “eligibility\nof mature minors, advance directives, mental illness, palliative care and\nprotection of Canadians with disabilities”.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

– We won a minor victory: the final\nversion of the bill excluded advance directives for neurodegenerative diseases\nsuch as Alzheimer’s. Pressure will continue at the provincial level to open up\na new loophole in the near future, for those who will have signed advance\ndirectives indicating the circumstances under which they would wish to obtain\nMAiD. In addition, advocates for greater access to euthanasia are already\ntelling patients that Bill C-7 would allow Alzheimer’s patients to apply for\nand obtain MAiD at stage 4 of their disease (on a scale of 7), before they\nbecome incapacitated. This is a dramatic solution that would result in the\npremature death of people who could live a happy and dignified life in the remaining\nstages of their disease if they are well supported.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

– The relaxation of the guidelines\nfor administering a lethal injection to persons at the end of life and the\nestablishment of new protocols for persons whose natural death is not\nreasonably foreseeable are both happening in a very particular context. By many\naccounts, the current guidelines are not always respected. To date, we are not\naware of any disciplinary action against such misconduct. We will have to be\nparticularly careful to ensure that the promised guidelines are at least\nrespected.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

– We cannot leave the field open to\npromoters of medical aid in dying as a solution to the physical and\npsychological suffering of patients. Already, some people consider\n“tiredness of living” as a sufficient reason to ask for this\nso-called \u201cend of life care\u201d. We must work to promote real care which is adapted\nto all types of suffering. To achieve this, our governments will need to work\nhard to improve mental health care, support for people with disabilities\n(employment, housing, etc.), support for people with chronic illnesses of all\nages, home-based care and support for caregivers. There is no shortage of\nchallenges!<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

In doing this, we will be able to\nreturn to the fundamental suicide prevention campaign messaging and remind all those\nwho are contemplating death: your life is important and we will be with you to\naccompany you in the most difficult moments. Despite your fears and your suffering,\nyour dignity remains intact.<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

Thank you for your support throughout\nthe debates surrounding Bill C-7. Our mobilization continues. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

Let\u2019s roll up our sleeves and get to\nit,<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

Mr. Alex King
\nChair of the board
\nLiving with Dignity<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>

 <\/span><\/p>

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Dr. Catherine Ferrier
\nPresident
\nPresidentPhysicians\u2019 Alliance against Euthanasia<\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImage from the Department of Justice of Canada’s website
\nFollowing this cold shower,reasons to stay mobilized
\nA joint reaction by Living with Dignity and the Physicians’ Alliance against Euthanasia 
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