This article was published by Living With Dignity - Québec on May 31, 2017. A Canadian study recently examined the reasons behind euthanasia cases in four major hospitals in the Toronto area.The results of the study demonstrate that the main factor behind euthanasia deaths relates to existential distress. Indeed, the primary reason given by patients concerned the loss of autonomy - and not the unbearable pain that was conveniently sold to us from the beginning. Other reasons included fear of becoming a burden to those around them, fear of losing one's dignity, or the fact of no longer appreciating one's life. Continue reading

by Xavier Symons. Article first published at Mercatornet's Bioedge Blog The debate over euthanasia is often framed in terms of unbearable pain. Yet a new review of assisted dying cases in Toronto suggests that patients are primarily concerned about a "loss of control" over their lives, rather than refractory pain symptoms.The study, published in the current edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, reviewed data on assisted dying cases from the University Hospital Network (UNH), an Ontario healthcare and medical research organisation that operates four major hospitals in the Toronto area. Continue reading

By Paul Russell: I wrote recently about the suicide death of 27 year old Canadian Adam Maier-Clayton. Maier-Clayton had significant psychological difficulties and was pushing for the inclusion of psychological complaints within the ambit of Canada's death laws.He was unsuccessful. His condition has recently been described as a somatoform disorder which, in some circumstances 'the patient's psychological problems may be much more complex and their physical symptoms become severe, disabling and long-lasting'. He died a suicide death earlier in April. Continue reading

by Paul Russell: Euthanasia and assisted suicide is sold to the public as a matter of choice; perhaps the ultimate act of autonomy. We all want choice and we all want to enjoy the experience of a sense of control and self-determination that making our own choices brings.Coercion and pressure are serious concerns with euthanasia & assisted suicide. Is the person's 'choice' genuine, made without pressure or coercion and always with a clear perspective? Continue reading

Alex Schadenberg Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Nicole Ireland with CBC news reported that there have been more than 1324 euthanasia deaths in Canada. The CBC article that promotes euthanasia states:more than 1,300 people in Canada who have died with medical assistance since the option became law. For most of the country, that's been less than a year, as Bill C-14 governing medical assistance in dying passed on June 17, 2016. Quebec legalized medical assistance in dying six months before that, on Dec. 10, 2015. Continue reading

Alex Schadenberg Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition An article by Sharon Kirkey published in the National Post indicates that as of February 17 there were 137 Ontario doctors who were willing to be on a list of doctors who will do euthanasia, but there were also 24 doctors who asked to be removed from the list and another 30 doctors who have asked to be temporarily off the list.Euthanasia was officially legalized on June 17, 2016 in Canada. Therefore, within 8 months, 24 Ontario doctors who agreed to lethally inject patients have changed their mind while another 30 doctors are now unsure about participating in euthanasia. Continue reading

Aubert Martin republished from Mercatornet's Careful blog The euthanasia machine has once again become activated, following the "compassionate" murder of a woman with advanced stage Alzheimer's. Although the details are not yet known, it appears that her exhausted spouse may have "cracked". The despair into which this poor man plunged demonstrates well the harsh reality that caregivers can endure when providing for a relative with Alzheimer's disease.However, instead of questioning the support offered to the sick and their loved ones, the debate was immediately channeled towards euthanasia, conveniently called "medical aid in dying". Continue reading

by Paul Russell: A medical friend of mine told me once that in over many years of attending and taking aprt in medical conferences, whenever the 'E' word was mentioned there was always someone in the room that piped up about euthanasia creating savings in the public health purse.I had previously always thought that cost-savings associated with euthanasia and assisted suicide were the 'elephant in the room'; always there, rarely acknowledged and rarely spoken about. Continue reading

Alex Schadenberg Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition I received an email from a person, whose Aunt died by euthanasia, even though she might only have a bladder infection. This email letter proves out that the supposed safeguards in Canada's euthanasia law are ineffective and ignored by euthanasia doctors who are deciding who lives and who dies.The letter is edited for privacy: Continue reading