LEGISLATION COMMUNIQUE #10
VICTORIA DIOCESAN COUNCIL
President: Christa Grillmair Spiritual Advisor: Father Alfredo Monacelli
Date: January 23, 2021 Legislation Communiqué #10
FROM: Gerry Heywood, Diocesan Legislation Chairperson
My Sisters and Friends in the League:
Despite the COVID epidemic, the business of government carries on. However, there are particular bills and legislation both on the Federal and Provincial levels that cause us grave concern. To this end, our Provincial Legislation Chairperson, Sheila Doherty, has taken the time and effort to educate us on important issues arising from some proposed bills and, in one case, a decision already taken. Sheila also gives some suggestions on how we might address these concerns.
I realize that Sheila’s communique looks “dense”. Don’t let that deter you from carefully considering what Sheila has to say on issues that will affect you and your loved ones in the not too distant future.
Also, please note that there is an addition file accompanying this communique that provides further information.
We live in changing times and I thank you for your support in helping make these changes to our laws more positive.
Gerry Heywood
Diocese of Victoria CWL Chairperson for Legislation
____________________________________________________
FROM: Sheila Doherty, Provincial Legislation Chairperson
My friends in Christ,
I trust that you are all staying calm, staying healthy and staying safe. As I work on this communiqué in the morning here is a Morning Prayer from Living Faith, “Loving God, thank you for your gift of life as this day begins. My God, fill my heart today with a growing awareness of your loving presence. Help me to care for others in their needs just as you always care for me in mine. Guide me throughout this day so that my life may be a reflection of your love. Amen” (Fr. Kenneth E Grabner, C.S.C)
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: The federal government will resume its sitting on Monday, January 25, 2021.
BILL C-7 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). I have attached a document written by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops last fall entitled, “Important Facts about Bill C-7 and Euthanasia in Canada.” It does mention that Bill C-7 was being considered in both sides of parliament but it passed in the House of Commons on December 10, 2020 and on December 17th it had its Second Reading and Referral to Committee in the Senate. 'The federal government has received a two-month extension to pass Bill C-7, legislation which expands access to medical assistance in dying.' (Steve Lawrence/CBC) The government now has until Feb. 26, 2021 to pass this Bill. The first Fixed Sitting Date for the Senate is February 2nd, 2021. To access the list of Senators go to sencanada.ca. The Christian Family Life Provincial Chairperson, Blanca Stead included in her most recent Memo, some sample statements from CWL, CCCB and Euthanasia Prevention Coalition which she gave me permission to share:
I respectfully urge the government to reject Bill C-7 because it introduces contingencies and extensions to the original Act that will affect adversely the most vulnerable citizens and continue to downgrade the value of life. Bill C-7 must not permit MAiD when a person has become incompetent even if the person was previously approved. Also it must not eliminate the ten (10) day waiting period and must define “psychological suffering” to actually prevent euthanasia for mental illness alone.
I want to express my strong concern and opposition to Bill C-7 which, among other things, expands access to euthanasia /assisted suicide to those who are not dying. To establish a robust palliative care system available to all Canadians is a much more effective response to suffering and to protecting the sacred dignity of a human person. Palliative care addresses pain in a loving and caring environment.
Bill C-7 notes that a person “has been informed of the means available to relieve their suffering, including where appropriate, counselling services, mental health and disability support services, community services and palliative care and has been offered consultations with relevant professions who provide these services or that care.” However palliative care services as well as the others mentioned are seriously lacking in most of Canada’s jurisdictions. Therefore I respectfully request that the government advocate for increased palliative care, mental health, disability support and counselling services rather than what is intended in Bill C-7.
I strongly oppose the changes introduced by Bill C-7. Some of the changes will allow patients whose death is “reasonably foreseeable” to waive their final consent to receiving euthanasia by allowing such a decision to be made through an advance directive. This Bill must not eliminate the 10 day waiting period, must not permit MAiD when a person has become incompetent even if the person was previously approved, and it must define “psychological suffering” to actually prevent euthanasia for mental illness alone. Please use one of these statements or draft your own and take the time to call, send an email or letter to Senators so that Bill C-7 can be defeated.
BILL C-9: An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy):
Bill C-9 received Royal Assent on November 19, 2020 and is now law. Hopefully many businesses, charities and non-profit organizations are receiving some much needed aid during this pandemic. The summary of this Bill was in National Legislation Chairperson, Betty Colaneri’s communiqué #12 from November 26, 2020: This enactment amends the Income Tax Act to revise the eligibility criteria, as well as the level of subsidization, under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) as part of the response to the coronavirus disease 2019. It also extends the CEWS to June 30, 2021. The enactment further amends the Income Tax Act to introduce the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) in order to support those hardest hit by the coronavirus disease 2019. This subsidy provides relief in respect of rent and interest on debt obligations incurred to acquire real property used by businesses, charities and not-for-profit organizations in the course of their businesses or other activities. The rent subsidy is effective as of September 27, 2020 (parl.ca).
CANADA REVENUE AGENCY: CRA simplifies claiming home office expenses
I received this information from my MP, Cathy McLeod, in her January 6, 2021 newsletter update: “With so many people working from home to observe COVID-19 health protocols in 2020, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has set up a simplified process for workers to claim expenses on their upcoming income tax return. This new flat-rate method means employees can claim $2/day if they worked at home more than 50 percent of the time in four consecutive weeks in 2020 due to COVID-19. This temporary method allows eligible employees to also claim $2 for any other days they worked from home in 2020 due to the pandemic, up to a maximum of $400. There is no need to calculate work-space details or keep supporting documents with the new flat-rate method, and it applies to both part-time and full-time employees. The shorter qualifying period means more people can claim the deduction. Also, unlike a prior announcement, those using this method will not need their employers to sign and complete Form T2200 or Form T2200S. And for employees with larger claims for home office expenses, the more detailed method can still be used. The CRA has also simplified the process for this with forms T2200S and T777S, and created an online calculator to help people with their calculations. All the forms and information needed for employees to evaluate both claim methods can be found at: canada.ca/ cra-home-workspace-expenses.” Hopefully many can take advantage of this deduction on their income tax returns.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT: The provincial government will resume its sitting on Monday, March 1, 2021. You can stay informed by going to their website, www.leg.bc.ca.
DELTA HOSPICE SOCIETY: I realize that we have been lobbying for Delta Hospice for almost a year or longer but it is such an important issue and will be setting a precedent for Hospices all across the country. I received an email from the President of the Board on January 11th saying that my membership had been accepted on December 15th, 2020 and here is an excerpt from the letter: In regards to current events at the Society, the Fraser Health Authority has forced us into a position where we had no other choice but to layoff our hospice staff by Feb. 25th, 2021 prior to the health authority expropriating our Society's assets (namely: two buildings worth approximately $10 million) all because we remain true to palliative care practices and will not euthanize our patients. Palliative care experts have responded to this situation in an interview with our President. To watch the short interview, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgMrQkTnfyw
Just posted on January 22nd, 2021 by Karin Larsen, CBC News: In a public letter dated Jan. 21, the society states, "... the board notified Fraser Health they will evacuate the Irene Thomas Hospice facility by the required date, so there will be no disruption in patient care. Last year, the government announced it was severing the service agreement with the Delta Hospice Society and withdrawing $1.5 million in annual funding over the society's decision to stop offering medically assisted death. On Feb. 25, 2021, operation of the facility and the building will be assumed by Fraser Health, but earlier this month the health authority said DHS was not engaging in discussions aimed at transitioning patients and staff.
I sent letters last spring to the Fraser Health Authority and Health Minister Adrian Dix and have never received replies; I believe it is time to send them again.
Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy communiqué; God bless you all,
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Doherty: BC and Yukon CWL Provincial Legislation Chairperson