By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
OTTAWA, June 25, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) has prepared an extensive package that includes information on euthanasia and assisted suicide to be given to Members of Parliament, talking points to share with one's MP, and a questionnaire to be completed during a meeting with an MP.
The package is a national response from the EPC to Bill C-384 – the bill to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide for people who are physically or mentally suffering or terminally ill. The bill was introduced by Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament Francine Lalonde in May 2009.
This is Lalonde's third attempt to legalize euthanasia in Canada, with her first two attempts, Bill C-407 in June 2005 and Bill C-562 in June 2008, dying on the order table when elections were called.
Bill C-384 would add an exception to the criminal code, ensuring that doctors will not face criminal prosecution if they help a person die who is at least 18 years old and who, after being given or refusing treatment, continues to “experience severe physical or mental pain without any prospect of relief,” or suffers from terminal illness.
Alex Schadenberg, the Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, has prepared an analysis of the new bill.
The bill calls for amendments to subsections 222(7) and subsection 241(2) of the Criminal Code which would allow euthanasia – a deliberate act by one individual with the intention of ending the life of another individual to relieve that person's suffering, where the act is the cause of death; and would allow assisted suicide – the act of intentionally killing oneself with the assistance of another who provides the knowledge, means or both.
Schadenberg points out that Bill C-384 does not restrict legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide (referred to as “intended death”) to Canadian citizens, which could make Canada a destination for “suicide tourists” and “suicide clinics.”
The bill also does not limit intended death to the terminally ill and it does not define terminal illness, but would allow intended death for people who experience depression or other chronic mental conditions.
Schadenberg is encouraging Canadians to obtain the response package and visit their local MPs to express their concern.
“We have asked our supporters to visit their member of parliament (MP) this summer and explain to them why we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide and Bill C-384.
“Supporters should consider visiting their elected representative as their democratic right. You should also consider the summer months as the best time to visit your MP because they are available to the community.”
“Our primary concern is that euthanasia and assisted suicide directly threatens the lives of the most vulnerable in society. We should not be focused on how to take the lives of the vulnerable but rather how we should be caring for them.
“To legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide represents the right of one person to take the life of another person. Our society should not be going there,” Schandenberg concluded.
“Please contact us and ask us to mail you the package. When you have met with your MP we would ask you to send us a report to help us determine the expected vote in parliament this fall.”
To help the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition stop Lalonde's bill in Canada by donating by paypal online, and to order the response package click here.
Read previous LSN coverage:
Canadian MP Introduces Bill to Legalize Euthanasia Again
MP Introduces Euthanasia Bill into Canadian Parliament
Council of Canadians with Disabilities Opposes Euthanasia Bill C-384