Dear Editor,
I believe in the value of life, and the idea of assisted suicide being legalized in Canada terrifies me.
The new law has been proposed before, and it was brought down with blistering opposition. It is ludicrous to propose an almost identical bill with no new information or scientific evidence to support it.
It would legalize euthanasia without any safeguard for the patient at all. With no requirement for the physician to report a murder (that’s what I truly believe it is), vulnerable persons (elderly, mentally challenged, etc.) are extremely vulnerable to a harmful or unwilling procedure.
We would like to imagine that we live in a society where only those who absolutely want this procedure to take place would be subjected to it, but unfortunately there is always corruption present, and innocent people would be harmed every day.
The bill would also legalize assisted suicide for those experiencing physiological suffering, a term that is not even defined – it means anyone experiencing an emotional issue could choose to opt out of life, simply to end their short term suffering.
The law would label as a burden anyone who fits into the category of those expected for euthanasia. The elderly, disabled, and dependent would appear to be a burden on the families and supporters because they choose to live, even if it means possibly a little extra work for those around us.
There’s a little concept called “helping others.†I’m sure you’ve heard of it.
I am, of course, only brushing the surface of a raging debate in Canada today, but I believe these points can easily establish a counter-argument to those who believe life to be a burden and pointless.
Benjamin Budlong, Langley
