Bishops urge voters to make physician-assisted suicide an election issue

A Manitoba bishop says Canada's impending physician-assisted suicide law that takes effect in February should be an election issue, but isn't.

"We are coming closer to election day, and up to now, there has been hardly anything about physician-assisted death and voluntary euthanasia," said Archbishop of St. Boniface, Albert LeGatt.

Legatt is speaking in Manitoba on behalf of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has issued a statement on assisted suicide and calls for it to be discussed during the election campaign.

"This should be an election issue because whichever party is in government, whichever MP is elected, they will be discussing this in parliament. It has not been discussed much at all in this campaign," said LeGatt.

LeGatt said as the Feb. 6 deadline to legalize the practice of doctor-assisted suicide nears, there needs to be more discussion about how Canadians fundamentally relate to one another, what they value and the dignity of life at all stages. And an election campaign is a good place to have that discussion, he said.

Church and politics do mix

LeGatt defends the church encouraging its followers to become more politically active.

"Catholics are citizens. Christians are citizens. There are many of the great faiths of the world who hold the same moral position, ethical position in regards to this, respecting the sanctity of life. The dignity of the person at every moment, regardless of their situation. And so along with other Canadians, I believe we have the right to bring forth our voice."

LeGatt wants Catholics to question the candidates on the issue.

He is also encouraging Manitoba's Catholics to give their input on a draft statement that is in the works with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba. The College is asking for the public's input before Oct.15 as it drafts its statement on physician-assisted suicide.

LeGatt says this is not simply an issue between a doctor and his or her patient. Or between institutions, such as a palliative unit or nursing home. It's about everyone in the health care system who comes into contact with the person who is dying: nurses, pharmacists, all health care providers, he said.

"We hear much about rights, quality of life. But what about in depth discussion about quality palliative care in hospitals, in nursing homes and in people's own homes. More and more people are choosing to die at home," he said. "And there is the whole issue about mental health. … So much of this is tied around mental health and issues of hope and despair. How do we as a society answer the cry of suffering?"

Protecting rights of caregivers

LeGatt said the law cannot force caregivers who object to providing care that would bring about a patient's death to go against their beliefs.

"We do not believe this is medical care. We believe it is the opposite. Almost all of the palliative units in Quebec, where there are no Catholic hospitals, they are all public, the palliative units as a block have told the government this is not what we are about."

There are several Catholic institutions in Winnipeg including nursing homes, hospitals and St. Amant, which supports Manitobans with disabilities, where physician-assisted suicide services will not be provided, LeGatt said.

He said the conversation should be about what resources can be marshaled to provide comfort to a dying person.

"Some may say it's nice to talk about palliative care but I remember how much my mother suffered three months ago when she was dying in a Catholic hospital. This is real and this is their experience. So there is the whole question of resources to be there with someone in their dying."

Invoke nothwithstanding clause

The Catholic Bishops of Canada says one year isn't enough time to have this discussion. It is urging the government that is elected on Oct. 19 to invoke the notwithstanding clause to override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and extend the timeline to five years.

LeGatt said if enough people speak out, that could happen.

"With enough political pressure, the voice of the people, it could be invoked and give us more time to talk. To look at the track records of countries and states that have already gone down this road. What has been then track record? What has been the real situation for the population as a whole, the elderly, and the handicapped?" he said.