"Euthanasia treats people as disposable objects. All Canadians should be concerned… even frightened by the possibilities," says 26-year palliative care specialist Jean Echlin RN, MScN

Bill C-407—the private-members bill proposing to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide had its first hour of debate in Parliament on Monday, October 31, 2005. When the Liberal government was defeated, C-407 died on the Order Paper—but we can be sure that advocates of so-called "euthanasia" will be back.

According to Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC), this kind of legislation "is a direct threat to the lives of the people with disabilities, people with chronic physical and mental pain…"

C-407 attempted to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide for people who "appear to be lucid"—without defining what "appears to be lucid" means.

An article supported by hundreds of physicians reads: "Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) may superficially appear attractive, however, they have profound adverse effects on the social fabric of our society, on our attitude towards death and illness, and on our attitude towards those who are ill or have disabilities. "Euthanasia, once legalized, cannot be adequately controlled. The Dutch experience shows that around 1,000 patients are killed every year against their wishes, or without consent, by their doctors. "Euthanasia, initially intended for patients with terminal illness, soon spreads to other groups—those who are ill (or may even only consider themselves to be ill), and even to newborn babies with disabilities. "Euthanasia and PAS place increasing pressure to agree to be killed on those who are elderly or sick or who consider themselves—due to disease, disability or expensive treatment—to be 'a burden' to relatives or to society. The 'right to die' soon becomes a 'duty to die'…

"It is always cheaper (and quicker) to kill than to treat. To legalize euthanasia will undermine medical care—especially palliative care.

"To legalize euthanasia would adversely affect the doctor-patient relationship. Despite all possible legal safeguards, patients will wonder whether the doctor is wearing the white coat of the healer or the black hood of the executioner."

Palliative Care specialist Jean Echlin says, "Dying with Dignity can only be achieved with expert hospice/palliative care, strong community and institutional health care, and compassionate support of vulnerable people. This care must be available for all Canadians."

Anyone concerned about the propaganda drive to promote so-called "euthanasia" should take some reflective time to watch this presentation from Regent College and pass it on to others: http://www.regent.edu/acad/schedu/uselesseaters/