What was once sold to the people of Canada as a loving and compassionate way to end the life of a terminal, suffering, elderly patient has become a rampant plague of killing.
New data released by Health Canada shows a heartbreaking record of 16,499 people who were killed through their Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) euthanasia program. This accounts for more than 5% of all deaths in the country.
This represents a 6.9% increase from the 15,343 deaths in the year prior. Since 2016 when MAID was legalized there have been more than 76,000 people killed.
Those who support this legislation often believe that it is somehow compassionate. Groups like Death with Dignity advocate for what they call the “fundamental freedom of choice in end-of-life options” attempting to frame these killings as an outgrowth of freedom.
The truth that must be shared is that this awful practice is not loving, it is not merciful, and it is not compassionate.
Among the reasons given by those who sought euthanasia, the overwhelming majority, 75%, reported that they felt a “loss of independence.” Additionally, 48% reported that they viewed themselves as a burden on their family, friends, or caregivers. Another common reason given was anxiety, fear, and distress cited by 58%.
These reasons for death are heartbreaking.
Rather than offering love, care, and reassurance to those who may feel a loss of independence, anxiety, or perceive themselves to be burdens, Canada is simply killing them.
Most of us would not treat our family dogs so poorly!
There is nothing caring about violating the sanctity of human life. What will become of the world if we deploy an ethical framework that permits the intentional killing of innocent people for the reasons above?
As we have documented around the world, these policies have proven to be a very dangerous slippery slope, and not in a fallacious way.
We have seen a pattern of policy in virtually every nation that has legalized some form of assisted suicide or euthanasia. When legislation is first presented, it must be done in a palatable way. It will be framed as loving and compassionate, often with strict limitations applying only to those with terminal illnesses, etc.
Over time the pro-death lobby will fight relentlessly to expand the parameters until even children are eligible to be killed, as is the case in Netherlands for example. Even when nations resist, the pro-death lobby will persist. The initial legislation is never the end of the discussion. The first NO is always the easiest.
As we fight to defend the sanctity of life, we cannot forsake those who are killed outside of the womb.
Defending Life,
Victor Nieves,
President, Life Issues Institute
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