In this episode of Euthanasia & Disability, Amy Hasbrouck and Christian Debray discuss:
- Euthanasia for PTSD and sexual abuse
- TVNDY visits senators in Ottawa
- Announcement: June 1 rally
Please note that this text is only a script and that our webcast contains additional commentary.
UPDATE ON BILL C-14
- The House of Commons failed to approve a version of Bill C-14 this week, and because Parliament is in recess next week, no action can be taken until May 30 at the earliest.
- The scheduled vote was missed on Wednesday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau grabbed one Member and elbowed another member in an effort to speed up the process. This highly unusual behaviour drew a lot of discussion and criticism, and effectively put off the vote on the bill until after next week’s break.
- Earlier this week, the Senate’s Legal and constitutional Affairs Committee issued a report following its hearings on the bill. Most of the Senate committee’s recommendations would tighten safeguards, such as by preventing heirs from filling out the application form on behalf of someone who can’t do it themselves. However the Committee did open the door to assisted suicide and euthanasia by advance directive.
- The Senate Committee would also add terminal illness to the definition of a “grievous and irremediable medical condition,” and provide for conscience right of refusal for both individuals and institutions.
- Meanwhile, an Alberta Court of Appeal issued a critique of the law when it rejected the Attorney General’s appeal of a woman’s request for assisted suicide. The woman, known as EF, has a psycho-somatic illness that causes constant migraine headaches, blindness, and involuntary muscle spasms that cause constant pain and make her unable to digest food.
- The attorney general argued that the Supreme Court, in referring to “end-of-life” care in the Carter case, meant to restrict access to assisted suicide and euthanasia to people who had a terminal illness, and exclude people with purely psychological problems. The Alberta Appeals court disagreed, saying the court in Carter meant for people with non-terminal disabilities and mental illness to have access to assisted suicide. The Appeals court also implied that Bill C-14 would be found unconstitutional if it attempts to deprive these groups of access to assisted suicide and euthanasia.
EUTHANASIA FOR PTSD, SEXUAL ABUSE
- This week we learned of two cases in Holland where women were allowed euthanasia due to psychological problems caused by sexual abuse.
- In one case, a woman in her 20s was euthanized because she had anorexia and what was called “incurable PTSD.”
- Another woman in her 40s was approved for euthanasia because of depression and PTSD that have left her physically and emotionally weakened.
TVNDY VISITS SENATORS IN OTTAWA
- This week, TVNDY went to Ottawa to visit with two senators to discuss bill C-14.
- We met with Senator Tobias Enverga and Senator Don Plett to discuss amendments to the bill that could be presented in the senate to strengthen the protections for vulnerable persons.
- Both Senators expressed strong opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia. Senator Plett described amendments he intended to put forward during the senate debate. Senator Enverga encouraged us to continue to meet with his colleagues.
ANNOUNCEMENT: JUNE 1 RALLY SPONSORED BY THE EUTHANASIA PREVENTION COALITION
- The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and other groups are sponsoring a rally on Parliament Hill on June 1 from noon to 1:30 p.m. to voice opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia, and to call on Parliament to ensure protections for vulnerable persons in any law regulating the practice.
- For more information contact EPC at 1-877-439-3348 (English only) or Living with Dignity at 438-931-1233
