Skip to content

Letter: Assisted death poses challenges

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Sally Scales. I had the pleasure of meeting Sally on a few occasions, especially when she was door-knocking for Mel Arnold in the Federal Election.
7823866_web1_3218605

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Sally Scales. I had the pleasure of meeting Sally on a few occasions, especially when she was door-knocking for Mel Arnold in the Federal Election.

Any death is a loss, whether naturally or by Medical Assistance (MAID.) From all accounts Sally’s assisted death has gone according to the law.

Presumably the government in drafting the new law looked at Belgium and Holland where euthanasia and assisted suicide have been legal for years. Did parliament overlook the warning by Professor Theo Boer a former supporter of euthanasia, and serving on a Review Committee, who now says “Don’t go there.”

Professor Boer reveals that the number of assisted death is steadily raising, to the point of travelling euthanasia clinics. Plans are underway to have a lethal pill available for people over 70 who wish to die.

From a carefully controlled beginning, it now includes people with chronic diseases, psychiatric diseases and dementia.

Will Canada fall into the same slippery slope as Holland and Belgium? Or will we learn from their mistakes?

Will the Charter of Rights and Freedoms acquiesce to the demands of unrestricted autonomy?

Will the Charter protect the rights of doctors, nurses and health care facilities who object to participate in Maid?

June 15 was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elderly can be made to feel that they are a burden and that they should avail themselves of MAID. Maybe siblings can’t wait long enough to get the inheritance.

Sanitizing death has dire consequences.

Hildegard Krieg