Quebec Life Coalition

From the blog of Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, I bring you this good news:

The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) recently published a paper opposing the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide and instead promoting the development of palliative care in Canada.

A survey of the CSPCP also shows that a majority of its members do not support euthanasia or assisted suicide.

CSPCA Euthanasia Survey Results

 The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) represents nearly 300 member physicians who provide care to the dying. Our mission is to advance the quality of life of our patients and their families. The survey used the definitions and glossary of the Quebec National Assembly for clarification and standardization.

Definitions are as follows:

Euthanasia - "An act that consists of deliberately causing the death of another person to put an end to that person's suffering."

Assisted Suicide - "The act of helping someone commit suicide by providing the means or the information on how to proceed, or both."

Almost half (46%) of CSPCP members responded to the survey, and the overwhelming majority were OPPOSED to the legalization of euthanasia (88%) or assisted suicide (80%).

* 90% of responding members would not be willing to participate in the act of euthanasia.

* 83% of responding members would not be willing to aid in assisted suicide.

Based upon the survey results, the Canadian Society of Palliative Care. Physicians strongly oppose the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide at this time, and most of its members are unwilling to participate in euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Thank God for the decision of the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians! We need more doctors that adhere to the values of compassion and care.

A hard-hitting ad sponsored by Campaign Life Coalition, our parent organisation. Pass it on!

Living with Dignity conducted an independent analysis of the 427 oral presentations and written submissions to the Select committee on dying with dignity “The numbers are black and white. In the presentations to the Commission there was 99 per cent agreement that palliative care is the dignified choice Quebecers want available at the end of life. At the same time, 60 per cent of the submissions opposed any opening for euthanasia. Only about a third ( 34%) of those who submitted to the commission were either somewhat or strongly in favor of euthanasia.

Source.

A B.C. woman, Gloria Taylor, who suffers from ALS is asking the B.C. Supreme Court to overturn Canada's laws and grant her wish to a doctor-assisted suicide.

Following the article on the CBC News website, the broadcaster is asking in a poll if "Canadians should have the legal right to an assisted suicide". If you love life as much as me, please vote no in this CBC opinion poll. 

I was interviewed this morning on CTV's Canada AM about the Dying with Dignity Committee's work so far and the fact that this committee's work is now resuming.

Go here for our main arguments for why we at Quebec Life Coalition agree with the Canadian parliament's recent decision to keep euthanasia off the table when it comes to caring for patients and concern for end-of-life dignity.

The Quebec grass-roots network Living with Dignity has just set up its own YouTube channel. On it you can find several Quebec doctors denouncing the recent push for Euthanasia in the province of Quebec. Take a look!

Below is a video of Dr. Nicholas Newman, Head of the Orthopedics department of the University of Montreal reseach hospital.

Some good news on the euthanasia front. "Living with Dignity", the English version of the Vivre dans la dignité site, is now online. Here's the email I just received with the details:

Quebecers from every region of the province have shown their commitment to preventing euthanasia by getting behind the newly formed grassroots group, Living with Dignity and by joining the campaign Let's speak up and Show your colours. About 700 people have already pledged ( in 5 weeks) their support by mailing in signed copies of the group’s Manifesto for a dignified and natural end-of-life and promotion of quality health care in Quebec. It spells out the need for action against euthanasia, assisted suicide and extraordinary medical intervention. I predicted the number of supporters will soon be over the 1000 threshold with the launch today of the English version of Living with Dignity’s website http://www.vivredignite.com/en/welcome.html which will complement the existing French site www.vivredignite.com

I urged Quebecers go on line to e-sign Living with Dignity’s manifesto on the French website or on the new English site. People from outside Quebec are also welcome to support our initiative by signing too.

New material accessible on our website:

1) Manifesto to be signed on line or download the document and send to us.

2) Take a Quiz to test your knowledge on the end-of-life issues

3) Visit the "Be inspired" section to watch videos such as Saved by a Blink

4) Watch on line a stunning documentary, Euthanizing Medicine, produced by Salt and Light TV. (with special permission)

Our rapid growth shows how strong the grassroots opposition is to medicalized killing in Quebec,” “We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to give us their support so far. Now we need to keep growing to tell the Charest government that euthanasia and assisted suicide are not acceptable options for Quebec health care.”

You have questions about euthanasia and assisted suicide? Click on the frequently asked questions below to learn more about euthanasia and assisted suicide (originally published by COLF):