March 6, 2021 Legislation Memo #6

From: Gerry Heywood, Diocesan Legislation Chairperson

Dear Sisters in the League and Father Alfie:

1.  I am forwarding this Memo to you as it was written and commented on by both National and Provincial Legislation Chairpersons. I fear that many of us may feel weary of hearing about Bill C-7 yet, again. However, these proposed additions to the MAID (medical assistance in dying) further threaten our elderly, sick, mentally ill and disabled people. Many of the soon to be newly “qualified” people are members of our own families.

2.  The good news is that we can still contribute to the discussion and this is what this memo is about. So, please take the time to read this memo and discern what you need to do.

Stay well, my sisters,

Gerry Heywood, Diocesan Legislation Chairperson

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Dear Sisters in the League and Fr. David,

BILL C-7

A) National Legislation Communiqué #13: We have been hearing about Bill C-7 for over a year now. It had its First Reading on February 24th, 2020. I still believe that we can make a difference. As Betty Colaneri, our National Legislation chairperson says in her latest communiqué, “The League will continue to be the voice for the voiceless and advocate for proper resources to give hope to those who feel their situation is hopeless.” I am attaching her communiqué in its entirety as it deals totally with Bill C-7. There is so much information about this bill encased in the communiqué that I didn’t feel the need to paraphrase any differently.

B) Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: I have attached an article from Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) that is dated Friday, February 26th. The Conservatives have slowed down the process of passing Bill C-7 because the Quebec Superior court has extended the stay of the Truchon decision until March 26th. Therefore we can still take action: we are asked to sign EPC's petition, 'No to euthanasia for mental illness and incompetent people'. We are also asked to contact our members of parliament asking them to reject the Senate amendments and Bill C-7. EPC has also published articles this week entitled, ‘MAiD (euthanasia) for mental illness ignores safeguards for vulnerable people’ (March 1, 2021) and ‘Lack of evidence surrounding euthanasia for mental illness debate’. (March 5, 2021) Please take some time to read these articles at their website www.epcc.ca  and take action.

C) A Senator’s Response: I did email all 105 Senators about Bill C-7 in the last month. One Senator who has responded to me on two occasions was the Honourable Michael MacDonald, from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Below are the links to his speeches to the Senate on this issue. They are both a bit lengthy but he brings up many valid points relating to Bill C-7. I pray that his colleagues heed his advice.

His first speech from the Senate sitting on December 16, 2020:

https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/macdonald-michael-l/interventions/551972/24

The second email that I received from Mr. MacDonald included this message to me: 

 “Thank you for your interest in the Senate’s study of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying). I would like to share with you my speech at Third Reading on Wednesday, February 17th, in which I discuss several of my concerns with this legislation.”

https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/macdonald-michael-l/interventions/554716/25#hid

D) A Member of Parliament’s Response:  I sent an email regarding Bill C-7 to my MP, Cathy McLeod (Conservative Party) on February 28th and I received a response on March 4th. She says that she is “extremely concerned at the proposed changes made by the Senate of Canada to the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) legislation.” Ms. McLeod did not support this Bill at the Third Reading. She goes on to say, “The Liberals have ignored pleas from medical professions who have made clear that this expansion is dangerous and requires more scrutiny. Bill C-7 was tabled over a year ago, and now at the last minute the Liberals are accepting the Senate’s amendments. Instead of recklessly expanding MAID to those with mental illness without parliamentary review, the Liberals should focus on providing additional mental health support. Conservatives have introduced an amendment to remove the Liberal expansion of MAID to those with mental illness, so that a proper review can happen – one that should have happened last year. Canadians should know the impacts of expanding MAID even further before it becomes law.” So please take some time to write, once again, to your MP and let your views be heard.

May your Lenten journey continue to be fruitful and grace-filled,

Yours in Christ,

Sheila Doherty

BC and Yukon CWL Provincial Legislation Chairperson