The Supreme Court of Canada based its decision to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 7, which states that: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person…”
Not having security was violating the right of the person who wants assisted death.
Will doctors and nurses who do not want their conscience violated in taking part in euthanasia and assisted suicide, or make a referral have their security of person protected?
Conscience is very much a part of a human being. Never mind that the judges said that we live in an enlightened age.
For nearly 2,500 years physicians and the profession of medicine have recognized that assisted suicide and euthanasia are not medical treatment.
In the 21st century medicine has advanced to the point where most pain can be controlled.
The Special Joint Committee recommends that all publicly funded health-care institutions provide medical assistance in dying, and that objecting practitioners must provide an effective referral for the patient.
The majority of doctors are not in favour of killing their patients.
In the former government, bills to legalize euthanasia were consistently voted down by a large majority.
It would behoove the Liberals to take that into consideration when drafting a new law, but will they?
Parliament has until June 6 to submit it, presumably with so-called safeguards, like goal posts that can be moved as we get even more “enlightened!’’
This is not enough time for such fundamental change.
The Supreme Court made legally permissible what is a moral wrong. Driven by autonomy, such laws only bring chaos.
Hildegard Krieg
