Federal Euthanasia Bill To Be Voted on Soon – Responding to Bill C-41

Care, Compassion and Our Voice: Responding to Bill C-41

No one should face illness, suffering or uncertainty alone. As Catholics, we are called to offer care and companionship, affirming that every person’s dignity endures through illness, memory loss and dependence.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is urging Catholics to speak out about Bill C-41, the Medical Assistance in Dying Safeguards Act. The bill would maintain the exclusion of euthanasia for people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness—a welcome step. However, it would also permit advance requests for euthanasia, allowing a person’s life to be ended after they have lost the capacity to understand or reconsider their earlier request.

These are separate issues that require separate decisions. The bishops are asking Canadians to contact their Member of Parliament and urge them to maintain the mental illness exclusion through separate legislation and remove the advance-request provisions from Bill C-41.

Make your voice heard! This is a time sensitive issue. Federal Members of Parliament are expected to vote on this legislation in the coming days.  Visit cccb.ca/billc41 to learn more and participate in the bishops’ letter-writing campaign.

• Click here to access the CCCB Fact Sheet on Bill C-41
• Click here to e-mail your Member of Parliament

Please also pray for all who are suffering, their families and caregivers, and our elected representatives. Through prayer, visits and practical support, let us remind those facing illness: you are loved, you matter, and you are never a burden.