Elderly, Children & Disabled

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Comment by Tom Grainger on October 2, 2009 at 7:31pm

Sorry as the link did not come through see www.evangelicalfellowship.ca

Comment by Tom Grainger on October 2, 2009 at 7:29pm

I have received in the mail today a letter from my Member of Parliament (Canadian Federal government ) advising me;

"Bill C-384 has not yet come up for debate in the House of Commons. When it des I will not support it, as I find the changes to the bill proposes to be moraly troubling and I do not believe that it is inthe best interest of Canadians "
Nina Grewal MP Fleetwood-Port Kells

In her letter, Nina also outlined how the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits an individual from assisting another to commit suicide. The law was challenged in 1993 by Sue Rodriguez & the Supreme Court ruled against her with Justice Sopinka stating: "Canadian society is based upon respect for the intrinsic value of human life and on the inherent dignity of every human being"

The push for legalizing euthanasia is coming from Bloc Quebecois MP Francine Lalonde which is not surprising as Quebec is very secular. The following is of interest:

"The second issue given newspaper coverage was a poll reflecting on the attitudes of Quebecers in regard to euthanasia.

An Angus Reid poll conducted August 4 and 5, 2009, reports that 31 percent of Quebec residents strongly support the idea of legalizing euthanasia. Another 46 percent moderately support the idea with 9 percent moderately opposed, 8 percent strongly opposed and 6 percent uncertain.

These poll results may seem like news, but in fact these types of numbers are quite common – until people are informed about the specifics of the application of proposed or existing laws pertaining to euthanasia or assisted suicide, including the experience in other countries. Inform people and ask them again. The results will be different.

People change their minds on this issue when informed there are effective ways of managing almost all pain. Death is not the preferred method. Others have not considered that the issue of euthanasia is not always left to be considered by the person who will die. Frequently the decision is in the hands of a caregiver.

In countries that have legalized euthanasia, the reasons given for the “mercy killing” are often: depression; a desire not to become a “burden” to others; not feeling worthy of care; or, the caregiver determines the individual’s life no longer has value. Most recently, some decisions have been based on economics – we need this bed for another patient.

The law proposed in Canada states that anyone over the age of eighteen years who is “suffering” (an undefined term) from a terminal illness or “severe” (also undefined) physical or emotional pain may request a “medical practitioner” (as defined by each province) assist them in dying with dignity. “Dying with dignity” is an interesting catchphrase, but the human response is to assist in eliminating pain and meeting the individual’s needs not assist in eliminating life and meeting the needs of a caregiver or the expense of operating a public hospital. Human life is not a burden."

The above is from
click on social issues and then scroll down to "Quebec poll on Abortion & Euthanasia" . Also lots of other justice issues which they are working on.

Comment by Marc Peterson on September 11, 2009 at 9:28pm

Hi Catherine, Thanks for this alert for our Canadian brothers and sisters. I must confess, I have become conditioned to seeing a Justice Seekers alert and wincing, wondering what we're getting behind now ;) But it is great to see the CRC firmly standing on the value of life.

Comment by Catherine Cooper on September 11, 2009 at 11:19am

Check out this advocacy piece from CRC Disability Concerns: Urge Your MP to Oppose C-384 (CAN). This bill would legalize euthanasia and assited suicide in Canada. Disabiltiy Concerns' action alert explains that the CRC's position "affirms that life is both a gift and a commitment, even in times of great suffering. The role of the church is to reach out to those for whom the gift of life has become a burden."

The alert also explains that no bill would be able to provide "quantifiable standards for too much suffering or too little dignity. Without measurable standards, the most vulnerable in society, including those with disabilities, are left without protection."

Check out this action alert at http://www.crcna.org/pages/disability_advocate.cfm