Richard W. Smith: After ten years of euthanasia, Canada needs a message of hope

The report tabled June 24by the special joint committee of senators and MPs contains a single recommendation: “That the Government of Canada amend the Criminal Code to indefinitely exclude persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness from eligibility for medical assistance in dying.” Photo by Getty Images

Article content

Three years ago, Kathrin Mentler — a woman in her thirties — went to a Vancouver hospital to seek help for depression and suicidal thoughts. There she was told by a clinician that our health-care system is “broken” and the wait to see a psychiatrist would be long. The clinician asked if she had ever considered euthanasia, as it would be more “comfortable” than suicide by overdose.

Article content

Article content

Such an outcome was, it turns out, a concern that led Ms. Mentler to visit the hospital that day. As she put it, “I very specifically went there that day because I didn’t want to get into a situation where I would think about taking an overdose of medication.” Ms. Mentler went to hospital to avoid death, only to have death mentioned as something to consider.

Article content

Article content

Article content

This is only one of the many disturbing stories about euthanasia in Canada. This year marks ten years since euthanasia came to this country. At least 76,475 Canadians have died as a result, while some estimates suggest the total has already surpassed 100,000.

Article content

Euthanasia started here in 2016 only for those nearing death. A few years later, it was expanded to individuals who were not dying, and whose disability or illness would not cause their death. In 2023, a parliamentary committee recommended allowing euthanasia for minors, and for those who wish to request euthanasia in advance of losing their mental capacity.

Article content

Due to stories like that of Kathrin Mentler, we are awakening to the unsettling realities of euthanasia. In June, a parliamentary committee called on the federal government to cancel the forthcoming legalization of euthanasia for mental illness. This form of euthanasia is currently scheduled to become legal in March 2027.

Article content

Article content

I hope this call represents a turning point. I hope we are, as a society, rediscovering the truth that every person is precious, equally valuable to all other persons, and possesses an inherent worth and dignity that can never be lost. These are fundamental beliefs of the church to which I belong, but these beliefs are also universal truths that sit at the bedrock of any civilized society.

Article content

Article content

Every human being has a dignity — a priceless worth — that can never be erased. No matter how dire our circumstances may be, this dignity never fades. As human beings, we are not perishable goods that go bad. We are not items with a shelf life. We are not burdens on society. We are not problems to be solved. It is heartbreaking to read the stories of individuals who have contemplated or sought euthanasia because of a perceived loss of dignity, or due to disability, vulnerability, isolation or adversity.

Article content

Canadians living with disabilities have been disproportionately affected by euthanasia. Offering euthanasia to Canadians living with disabilities instead of providing them with the support they need puts their lives at risk and discriminates against them. It tells these Canadians they are less valuable than others and that between living with a disability and not being alive, the latter might be better. These lies must be confronted. Lives are at stake.