As we pause and reflect on the 10 years since Canada’s first euthanasia law was passed, how do we hear God speaking to us? How does our faith encourage us, giving us hope and purpose?
Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) is the legal framework for euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada, a practice that has been rapidly expanded and adopted like in no other country in the world. The EFC is opposed to MAID, believing that it fundamentally devalues human life and normalizes suicide.
About 100,000 people have ended their lives via MAiD in the last 10 years, roughly equivalent to the population of Cape Breton, N.S., or Prince George, B.C.
The annual report on MAiD for 2024 indicates about one in every 20 people who died in 2024 died by MAiD.
“When the law was first debated I think many Canadians imagined MAiD would be rare, a last resort,” says Julia Beazley, EFC Director of Public Policy, “But that isn’t the case. It’s becoming increasingly widespread and normalized. The MAiD law uses subjective language, with few meaningful safeguards and a troubling lack of oversight.”
The original law from 10 years ago, passed June 17, 2016, limited euthanasia and assisted suicide to those whose natural death was “reasonably foreseeable.” But this term allows for wide variability in how doctors interpret it.
The second law, passed in 2021, expanded eligibility to those with a chronic illness, disease or disability who weren’t nearing death. It also allowed MAiD for those with mental illness only, with a delay before that expansion would take effect. MAiD for mental illness will now take effect in March 2027 unless another law is passed to stop or delay it further.
MAiD normalizes the idea that a life with limitations, illness or loss of ability might not be worth living. That the answer to suffering is to end one’s life.
As Christians, where do we find hope and encouragement in the midst of this?
God made us, loves us, and has a purpose for all our days. Our value doesn’t rest on our health, age or ability. We can hold on to this ourselves in difficult circumstances or in the face of diminishing capacity, and we can remind our neighbours. Each person’s life has value and meaning.
The data about why people choose MAiD points more to existential suffering than physical pain. People’s recorded reasons for dying by MAiD are usually an inability to participate in meaningful activities, loneliness, isolation and/or fear of being a burden.
These are areas where church and faith have so much to offer – hope, comfort, community and meaning.
In 2023 more than 50 leaders of Christian organizations signed a statement on euthanasia that is still very relevant today. Leaders committed to demonstrate the love of God in the lives of those feeling abandoned and to mobilize their communities to care for and support those who are suffering. Individual churches made this their congregation’s commitment, as well. This is a commitment we can hold to together (TheEFC.ca/DeclareAndResolve).
As churches we can also consider our welcome to people experiencing disability. The EFC’s free booklet, online at TheEFC.ca/LifeTogether, helps individuals and churches begin that conversation.
We can also ask for laws to be changed. “Asking for good laws is one of the ways we can love our neighbour,” says Beazley. “We want our country to be a place where people seeking treatment can receive it. Where our neighbours are supported to live, not facilitated to die. Where conversations about MAiD are only initiated by patients, and no one feels pressured toward euthanasia by their healthcare providers.”
After Jesus told a parable about a man who had been robbed and left for dead, ignored by religious leaders but cared for by a Samaritan, He asked, “Which of these three proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell among robbers?” The expert in the law answered that it was the one who showed mercy. And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
As we pause to reflect on a decade of MAiD, let’s ask God how he is calling and equipping us to be neighbours.
What you can do
- Pray for our country, for those struggling around us and for God’s help to love our neighbours. Plan a special prayer event on June 17 to mark a decade of MAiD.
- Get a digital or print copy of Life Together for yourself and your church.
- Consider the Declare and Resolve statement as a personal or church commitment.
Also in this issue: Research partnerships equip youth ministry; Connecting ESL, refugee, international student ministries; A note from EFC President David Guretzki; Updating you on Canada’s most immediate issues; Maritimers reflect on MAiD; Coming events and more.