Champions for euthanasia in Canada admit ‘safeguards’ failing

Pro-euthanasia activists in Canada have conceded that so-called safeguards are failing to protect vulnerable people from being coerced into seeking help to die.

The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), which spearheaded the push to legalise euthanasia, suggested that some people may not be “making this decision freely”.

Euthanasia now accounts for almost one in 20 deaths in Canada. In 2023, over 15,300 Canadians died by Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).

Unacceptable

BCCLA Executive Director Liz Hughes said the group is aware “of people being offered MAID in circumstances that may not legally qualify”.

She also described reports that people are “accessing MAID as a result of intolerable social circumstances” as unacceptable.

Hughes claimed that part of BCCLA’s work now involved lobbying the Government to ensure “adequate social supports so that people are able to lead dignified lives”.

‘Discriminatory’

Health Canada’s latest annual report on MAID revealed that almost 50 per cent of all people seeking death by euthanasia in 2023 mentioned ‘being a burden’ as a reason for doing so.

In instances where there was no terminal diagnosis, 58.3 per cent of those who died had some form of disability. Over a third of MAID deaths were provided to people with a disability who were also deemed to have a terminal illness. ‘Mobility’ was the most common difficulty given by disabled people asking to die.

Responding to the report, Professor Isabel Grant branded the euthanasia programme “discriminatory”. She explained: “when other people express loneliness or a loss of dignity or a desire to die, we usually respond with support or prevention – but with people with disabilities, we respond with an offer for MAID.”

Commenting on the alarming rise in deaths, Executive Director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Alex Schadenberg said: “Euthanasia is out of control in Canada.”

UK

In November, MPs at Westminster voted by 330 to 275 in support of the principle of Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill intends to allow those in England and Wales deemed to be terminally ill and with less than six months to live to receive help to kill themselves.

Numerous MPs spoke out against the backbencher’s Private Member’s Bill as it was being debated in the House of Commons. It will now proceed to Committee Stage for further consideration.

Currently in Scotland, MSPs are examining Liam McArthur’s assisted suicide Bill. The proposal has sparked fierce opposition from politicians, medical experts, commentators and religious groups.