Recommends extension of protection, clarification of provisions re: health care facilities
News Release
For Immediate Release
Protection of Conscience Project
The Protection of Conscience Project has made a submission concerning Alberta Bill 18 (Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act). The bill is to provide the framework for the provision of euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS: known in Canada as Medical Assistance in Dying/MAiD).
The bill does not mention freedom of conscience or religion, but some provisions will have an impact on these fundamental freedoms for nurse and medical practitioners and health care facilities. The Project submission is limited to those provisions.
The submission recommends that the bill be amended to include affirmation of practitioner freedom to refuse to actively assist in or facilitate the provision of EAS/MAiD, and to prohibit bullying or harassment of and discrimination against those who refuse to collaborate in the services. Further: these provisions should be applied to all regulated health professionals, since medical and nurse practitioners are not the only regulated health professionals likely to be called upon to collaborate in EAS/MAiD.
Affirmation of the freedom of health facility operators to refuse to permit EAS/MAiD on their premises is laudable and necessary. However, the provision that affirms their freedom to refuse to permit the provision of opinions related to EAS/MAiD on their premises invites confusion and conflict. The Project recommends that this be clarified.
See the Project submission online.
Contact:
Sean Murphy, Administrator
Protection of Conscience Project
Email: protection@consciencelaws.org