Petition to: The Hon. David Lametti - Minister of Justice and The Hon. Patty Hajdu - Minister of Health
Reject Euthanasia Bill C-7
Reject Euthanasia Bill C-7
We oppose euthanasia (MAiD) for incompetent people, for mental illness and we also oppose eliminating the waiting period.
On February 24, 2020, Canada’s federal government introduced Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). This bill claims to amend the euthanasia law based on the Truchon Québec court decision in September 2019 that struck down the requirement that a person be terminally ill to qualify. Due to the COVID-19 crisis and then the prorogation of parliament, Bill C-7 was re-introduced on October 5, 2020.
Bill C-7 significantly expands the law to include incompetent people who previously requested death by euthanasia (MAiD). Euthanasia is done by lethal injection.
Canada’s euthanasia lobby has been promoting euthanasia by advanced request for some time. Clearly Canada’s Minister of Justice, David Lametti, and Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu, are listening.
Bill C-7 permits a doctor or nurse practitioner to lethally inject an incompetent person who was previously approved for euthanasia. This contravenes the Supreme Court of Canada Carter decision where it was stated that only competent people could die by MAiD.
Bill C-7 also waives the ten-day waiting for people who are deemed to be “terminally ill.” Therefore a person could request death by euthanasia on a bad day and die by lethal injection the same day. Studies prove that the “will to live” fluctuates over time.
Link to article: Dignity therapy helps dying people find peace
Bill C-7 claims to prevent euthanasia for people with mental illness. Canada’s euthanasia legislation permits death by lethal injection for people who are physically or psychologically suffering. Originally the legislation required that a person be “terminally ill” therefore a person could not legally die by euthanasia for psychological reasons alone.
Now that the terminal illness requirement has been removed, the law permits euthanasia for “physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to them and that cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable.” Mental illness, which is not defined in the law, is a form of psychological suffering. Bill C-7 falsely claims to prevent euthanasia for mental illness.
The Canadian government must reject Bill C-7 and begin the promised 5-year review of the euthanasia law with an open view to what is actually happening rather than continuing to expand euthanasia, making Canada the most permissive euthanasia regime in the world.
Link to article: EPC: Stop Bill C-7 from expanding Canada's euthanasia law.
Link to article: Québec court expands Canada’s euthanasia law by striking the terminal illness requirement. Euthanasia for psychological reasons is next.
Complete your signature
Sign this petition now!
Petition to: The Hon. David Lametti - Minister of Justice and The Hon. Patty Hajdu - Minister of Health
I urge you to reject Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), and instead focus on preparing the five-year review of the MAiD law that was promised to begin in June 2020.
Bill C-7 is the wrong approach for the following reasons:
- It allows MAiD by advanced request which will allow cases of MAiD for incompetent persons. The Carter decision required that a person be competent.
- It eliminates the ten-day waiting period. This means on a bad day someone could request MAiD and die the same day. Studies prove that the “will to live” fluctuates over time.
- The bill does not prevent MAiD for people who are “mentally ill.” Due to the structure of the law, MAiD is permitted for physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to them and that cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable. Without amending the language of the law or defining mental illness, this bill will not prevent MAiD for mental illness.
Bill C-7 would give Canada the most permissive MAiD regime in the world.
Do what is best for Canadians and reject Bill C-7.
Petition to: The Hon. David Lametti - Minister of Justice and The Hon. Patty Hajdu - Minister of Health
I urge you to reject Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), and instead focus on preparing the five-year review of the MAiD law that was promised to begin in June 2020.
Bill C-7 is the wrong approach for the following reasons:
- It allows MAiD by advanced request which will allow cases of MAiD for incompetent persons. The Carter decision required that a person be competent.
- It eliminates the ten-day waiting period. This means on a bad day someone could request MAiD and die the same day. Studies prove that the “will to live” fluctuates over time.
- The bill does not prevent MAiD for people who are “mentally ill.” Due to the structure of the law, MAiD is permitted for physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to them and that cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable. Without amending the language of the law or defining mental illness, this bill will not prevent MAiD for mental illness.
Bill C-7 would give Canada the most permissive MAiD regime in the world.
Do what is best for Canadians and reject Bill C-7.
