Standing up for what is right

Health care reform is all the rage in the Senate of the United States of America. Even high-level Church authorities have weighed in on the subject of late, and been quoted in news and views sites this side of the Atlantic Ocean.

North of the 49th parallel, the debate is also simmering. In May of this year, a private member's Bill entitled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity) was introduced by Bloc-Québécois MP Francine Lalonde. In short, this enactment, if passed into law, would amend the Criminal Code to allow a medical practitioner, subject to certain conditions, to aid a person who is experiencing severe physical or mental pain without any prospect of relief or is suffering from a terminal illness to die with dignity once the person has expressed his or her free and informed consent to die.

Some might say, 'what's the world coming to?' while others no doubt are rejoicing that this Bill has been introduced. The euthanasia entusiasts promote a series of myths, which unfortunately are capitalized upon by the media. Here are some of the disceptions, and just a few clarifications:

• MYTH: This Bill is about a right to die with dignity.
  In truth, Bill C384 is not about dying with dignity or palliative care; it is about giving the power to a physician to directly and intentionally cause the death of individuals. This Bill, if adopted, will allow a medical practitioner to directly and intentionally cause death by lethal injection.
• MYTH: It will legalize only assisted suicide.
  In truth, Bill 384 would amend section 222 and 241 of the Criminial Code. This bill aims to legalize both euthanasia and assisted suicide.
• MYTH: It is limited to terminally ill people
  In truth, Bill 384 states that people who experience physical or mental pain or terminally-ill would be eligible for euthanasia or assisted suicide. This Bill would also allow people who experience chronic physical and mental pain to die by lethal injection and it does not define terminally-ill.
• MYTH: It is limited to competent people who are not depressed.
  In truth, this Bill measures competency based on 'appearing to be lucid'. To appear to be lucid does not mean a person is actually competent, only that they appear to be. This Bill would not be limited to people who are actually lucid and would allow people who experience chronic depression to die by euthanasia or assisted suicide.
• MYTH: It is not a threat to the lives of people with disabilities or other vulnerable people.
  In truth, this Bill allows euthanasia and assisted suicide for people with chronic physical or mental pain, on condition that they 'appear to be lucid'. Many people with disabilities experience chronic physical or mental pain. This Bill directly threatens the lives of vulnerable people with disabilities especially when the medical practitioner has a negative perception of disability. It allows euthanasia for physical and menatl pain and it does not define terminally-ill.
  (Thanks to the Catholic Women's League of Canada for these synopses)

While the Bill is still in the Legislative process, before the House of Commons, Canadians can express their views on this subject to their local Members of Parliament, who in turn will make these points of view known on the floor of the House prior to the final vote which will determine whether this initiative lives or dies.