Catholic by Design > Vote Against Bill C-384

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Vote Against Bill C-384

Read the article / show / issue that provoked me to write a letter and my response below that or go straight to my response

Date Posted on this Site

October 20, 2009

Published Content

On May 13, 2009, Francine Lalonde MP (Bloc Québécois) introduced Bill C-384: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity). If passed, this legislation would legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.

In October 2009, the Archdiocese of Toronto asked parishioners to contact their Members of Parliament to register opposition to the bill. (Read more here: http://www.archtoronto.org/euthanasia/index.htm)

My Response Letter

Dear Ms. Brown:

Thank you for all your hard work on behalf of the residents of Newmarket-Aurora. It is greatly appreciated.

I am writing to request that you vote against Bill C-384, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity).

I fear that this legislation, if passed, would endanger Canadians because it disrespects the inherent and inviolable worth and personal dignity of each human life.

Those who are sick, depressed, elderly, or disabled are at an even greater risk. These Canadians - who may feel like a "burden" to others - may feel pressured into a "duty to die".

Instead of protection for these vulnerable persons, this bill lacks even the most basic safeguards:

It does not define terminal illness or even limit intended death to those who are terminally ill.
It requires that the person requesting death only "appear to be lucid" over a period of 10 days. This is not a stringent competency test.
Its definition of medical practitioner is not limited to doctors.

The experience in the Netherlands has shown that so-called protections do not always protect individuals. In 2005, doctors killed 550 Dutch citizens without their consent. (See the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport's Evaluation of the Euthanasia Act - http://www.minvws.nl/en/themes/euthanasia/). It is not far-fetched to believe that this could also happen in Canada should this bill become law.

Furthermore, this bill does not restrict intended death to Canadians. If passed, this legislation would allow for "suicide clinics" and "suicide tourists" from around the world.

Killing someone is never a compassionate act. True compassion for those who are suffering requires proper care, effective pain control, and social, emotional and spiritual support. Please vote against Bill C-384.

Jason Gennaro

Did I get a response?

Yes

Good Morning, Jason.

Ms. Brown is on record opposing this bill and will vote against it.

Thank you for taking the time to express your views on this important issue. Feel free to contact us in the future with any questions or concerns.

Kind Regards,
Jonathan Kramer,
Constituency Assistant to Lois Brown, M.P.

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