Is the MAID named Pandora?

This is yet another follow-up to previous blogs about assisted dying legislation in Canada, something I cautiously support as a provision of compassion, while having deep concerns about the broadening scope which could affect those most vulnerable in our society. The result of a Superior Court ruling in Quebec is new legislation in the form of Bill C-7 with changes which some see as opening a Pandora's Box of changes to the original intent regarding assisted dying. There is a sense that the federal government is rushing to comply with the Quebec ruling on a subject which requires careful consideration and which might require a couple of years rather than another month. 

I've noted that while I'm glad the United Church issued a statement regarding assisted dying and then a response to proposed changes, congregations and members haven't been equipped to make informed decisions about their personal choices, nor encouraged to respond to what are imminent changes to legislation. 

In the past few days John Ibbitson has offered thoughts in the Globe and Mail which are measured and worthwhile reading. I"m not sure if the link I've provided will open if your'e not a Globe subscriber, but here are a couple of paragraphs:

 Reasonable people can support MAID in principle while having serious concerns with Bill C-7, and with the Quebec court’s decision. The Council of Canadians with Disabilities condemns “the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying as a legally- and socially-sanctioned substitute for assistance in living.”

Our utilitarian society appears to accept that the good of ending unbearable suffering for some surpasses the harm of needless deaths for others. It’s a hard bargain we’re making.

The Toronto Star editorial board has also weighed in, and again the thoughts expressed are important. Here is an excerpt: 

All this is a far cry from what most people accepted as a valid, indeed compassionate, reason for legalizing assisted suicide back in 2016. And none of it has been as fully aired as it would be — and should be — if the pandemic wasn’t dominating almost every public moment...

It’s important that we get this right. Better to put up with more delay than to rush through a flawed bill that hasn’t had the full public debate it deserves. The government should think again.

Amen and amen. 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-expert-panel-working-out-parameters-of-assisted-dying-legislation-face/

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2021/02/26/trudeau-government-should-rethink-its-flawed-changes-to-assisted-dying.html