We support Bill C-230 – The Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act.

Canadian Medical professionals who conscientiously object to MAiD (euthanasia and assisted suicide) are being coerced and pressured to participate in these acts, either by direct participation or by being forced to do a referral for the purpose of the act.

Medical professionals have been pressured to resign or have had to defend their right to be employed in their area of expertise because they refuse to participate in an act or do an effective referral for acts that they oppose.

Kelly Block MP (Carlton Trail/Eagle Creek) has sponsored Bill C-230: The Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act.

Bill C-230 protects conscience rights for medical professionals by preventing coercion and intimidation to participate in acts and protects employment for medical professionals who conscientiously object to certain acts.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 2(a) classifies conscience rights as a fundamental freedom.

There are many reasons why medical professionals conscientiously object to medical assistance in dying. There are medical professionals who believe the act to be wrong, or that it is not in the best interests of the patient. But beyond this, we agree that conscience rights are fundamental in a pluralistic society.

We the undersigned support Bill C-230: The Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act and urge every member of parliament to support Bill C-230.

More information:

https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-230

https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/bouchard-coelho-and-herx-physicians-should-not-be-forced-to-make-assisted-death-referrals

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/opinion-assisted-dying-legislation-must-reconcile-the-rights-of-those-who-object-to-the-practice

http://alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-protection-of-freedom-of-conscience.html