More and more of us are seeing the impact of MAiD as it touches the people in our lives. People in vulnerable situations are ending their lives via MAiD because they feel they have no other choice – and some are pressured to do so. There’s also a growing realization of the very subjective nature of the MAiD eligibility criteria.
At the same time, there’s a push to expand MAiD even further and to eliminate MAiD-free spaces for patients and doctors who are conscientious objectors. The issues, concerns and questions relating to MAiD in Canada are far from settled.
As discussions surrounding MAiD continue, this update will give a snapshot of what’s happening with the expansion of MAiD, concerns about the law and challenges for doctors and patients without access to safe spaces. We’ll end with suggestions for prayer and action.
1. MAiD for mental illness will
take effect in March 2027 – unless a bill is passed to walk it back. That leaves two and a half years to communicate with sitting MPs and future candidates that this law should be repealed. All of the
problems with this expansion remain – such as the fact that “
it is difficult, if not impossible for clinicians to make an accurate prediction about the future for an individual patient.” Hopelessness and a belief that things can’t change are symptoms of some mental illnesses. Nevertheless, mental health care isn’t available in a timely and affordable way for many Canadians and there is no clear way to distinguish between a desire for suicide and a request for MAiD. See the
EFC’s summary to a parliamentary committee on the many reasons to oppose MAiD for mental illness.
2. Devastating impact on people with disabilities. Many Canadians are being found eligible to have their lives ended via MAiD when they are
not receiving care and support to live. MAiD can be an option for a person with a disability or chronic illness, even if the reason underlying their request is that they do not have adequate health care or social supports. Earlier this year, a quadriplegic Quebec man died by MAiD because of the severe bedsore he developed spending days in hospital on an emergency room stretcher. A social worker advocating on his behalf said,
“It was not his choice. He asked for medical assisted to death as a result of no choice and lack of care.” People can also be pressured to end their lives via MAiD because of their disability. One woman with a disability describes diminished care since the MAiD law was passed. A nurse told her to “
do the right thing and consider MAiD.” In a country where we have a national suicide prevention action plan, the discrimination inherent in facilitating MAiD for people with disabilities is clear.
3. With MAiD’s subjective criteria, Canadians we would not expect to be eligible are having their lives ended by MAiD. What is a “serious illness” that makes someone eligible for MAiD? A
27 year old woman with autism and ADHD was approved for MAiD in Alberta. The government report lists
hearing loss and vision loss as underlying conditions that make someone eligible for MAiD. When is a person’s death “reasonably foreseeable,” so that fewer safeguards apply, and their life can be ended without delay? That, too, is an elastic term that could be interpreted as a person who has up to a decade to live or someone who isn’t dying but
indicates they will stop or refuse life preserving treatment, like taking antibiotics for an infection.
4. There is a push for more expansion – to youth and by advance request. A Private Member’s Bill in the
Senate would allow advance request for MAiD, setting a very troubling precedent of ending the lives of people who are not able to consent at the time of death. A special committee of MPs and Senators studying MAiD has recommended allowing MAiD for
mature minors, youth under 18 years of age who are deemed capable of consenting. This would essentially remove the minimum age of eligibility.
5. The need for sanctuary. There is an urgent need for safe places for patients and doctors where there is no pressure to end life via MAiD. Some patients are being approached by medical staff to ask if they are interested in MAiD; some patients have been asked multiple times, even after refusing. A
court case has been launched in BC to challenge the right of a faith-based hospital not to provide euthanasia on its premises. There is diminishing space for doctors and nurse practitioners for whom participation in MAiD is against their deeply held beliefs. We firmly believe doctors should not be the ones to suggest MAiD to patients. However, it’s been proposed that
doctors be required to bring up MAiD to patients who may be eligible and who are not known to be opposed. All Canadians should have access to high-quality palliative care, not pressure to end their lives.
What can we do?
This is a weighty topic. The practice and availability of MAiD devalues life and fosters despair. The dangers of abuse are rampant. And we see signs that abuse is occurring.
But we can face these issues with hope and trust in God our Saviour. He is the one who gives the gift of life and who brings meaning to our days. It is also God who calls us to care for those who are oppressed and to love our neighbour. Scripture calls us to seek the well-being of our country.
Please join us in praying for those who are vulnerable, reaching out to offer tangible help to our neighbours and in asking for a change in the law.
See the EFC’s resources on MAiD and palliative care, that include practical tips and wording to send your MP. And consider asking an EFC speaker to give a presentation to your church or ministerial association.
Black and white stethescope image © Geshem via Canva.com