Sadly, Canada is debating today the same issue that the Netherlands debated ten years ago. In 2002, the argument in Holland became popular that it was more humanitarian to kill suffering people rather than require physicians to offer pain management. Therefore, a law was passed allowing doctors to do just that. Kill people. Today, we can see this was a terrible mistake. Over time, that one law has been bent so much that doctors are now allowed to kill newborn babies and children under the age of twelve at the request of the parents who believe their child will have to endure suffering. Also, youth over twelve years old can request to be put to death and doctors are allowed to kill them if their parents agree and certain conditions are met, and for any adult it’s open season. The same can and may now happen in Canada. Euthanasia (doctors killing people) is a major life issue and as Canada’s only pro-life federal political party our platform statement reiterates: The Netherlands experience, where official acquiescence became legalization, and led eventually to thousands of murders each year, shows clearly that we should not follow that path, but must retain the Criminal Code sanctions against “assisted suicide” and other forms of euthanasia. It is a sad day indeed when a nation’s solution to loneliness, bullying, aging, pain, and hopelessness is to have a doctor put someone to death. Don’t buy the argument that euthanasia is all about ending pain because it’s not! That’s the lie used to get the legislation to pass, and too many Canadians are already starting to believe it. Stats will show you that in countries where it is legalized most who ask are not yet in pain. In fact, a citizen’s action group in Holland wants to legalize assisted suicide for all people over 70 who feel tired of life; they feel they should have the right to professional help in ending it. Humans are not disposable products and we must not allow that mindset to ever enter our Canadian society or our medical field. We must always strive to have greater respect for human life! How ridiculous it is for anyone to suggest that we should have doctors legally killing people! The proper use of medicine is to reduce pain, in other words, to kill the pain (palliative care) not the person. Pain medications may unintentionally result in death, but euthanasia has killing the patient as its primary purpose… big difference! Now, refusing treatment is every person’s “right;” that is not the same as having a lethal injection administered. Refusing treatment does not always end in death but with a lethal injection the patient will always die. Here is something else to ponder: estimates reveal that half of all medical costs for a lifetime of health care are incurred in the last six months of a person’s life. Sadly, I suspect that a contributing factor to the push for legalizing euthanasia is a misguided effort to reduce—at the expense of Canada’s seniors—the costs of Canada’s very expensive health care program. CHP Canada has always had its focus on the family because we understand the importance of the family. The intimate family relationship is the golden key, the real solution to loneliness, bullying, aging, pain, and hopelessness plus much, much more. With every breath that we take and with all our energy, this federal party will unapologetically put forth policies that respect the dignity of all Canadians and will fight to defend all innocent human life “from conception to natural death.” The Christian Heritage Party of Canada’s policy 6.3.1 states that “…no person, institution, or government shall tolerate encourage, or decree death by means such as...Euthanasia,” and CHP policy 6.3.5 goes on to say that: “Proper codes for medical, palliative and hospice care will include facilitating the alleviation of suffering and preventing the taking of human life.” Whether people choose to believe it or not, the statement “thou shalt not kill” is there to protect them and protect society. This is not just about individual rights; such a law will affect entire communities. For instance, the right to die will soon become one’s duty to die for the disabled and seniors who might feel they are becoming a burden to their family. People have shared with me that they are appalled at being asked by a nurse if they wish to be resuscitated in the event they go unconscious during treatment. “What on earth am I doing at a hospital if I don’t want to be resuscitated?” they ask. Christian leadership in federal legislation will ensure that all Canadians are protected even if it means protecting some people from themselves. You need to show your support for CHP Canada today... your life may depend on it.