I’m writing to denounce the proposed changes to the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) laws that our government is introducing in Bill C-7, which would remove safeguards and expand eligibility criteria for MAID.
The bill was introduced in the House of Commons and if passed, would create advance directives to allow patients to authorize euthanasia in advance and permit those who do not have a terminal illness to receive a physician administered death.
Pain medication and other resources and procedures can be used effectively in Palliative Care. This is not what this legislation involves, it means giving a lethal injection to people who are not dying, so that they will die. Bill C-7 also removes the 10-day waiting period before being approved.
If this bill is passed, I fear the elderly and mentally ill will be the most vulnerable.
There is a lack of palliative care services in Canada. Why is there no political will to push forward on this so that all Canadians have access to palliative care and yet medically assisted deaths are guaranteed, widely available and fully funded under the law?
Instead of adopting an overall culture of care, we are rushing towards death on demand. The sick, elderly and disabled need assisted living, not assisted death.
I believe that all Canadians should be concerned about this Bill C-7!
Yours Sincerely ,
Theresa Istace, Weyburn
