During meetings in Calgary Aug. 18-21, the CMA general council narrowly defeated a resolution calling on the federal government to launch a wide-ranging consultation on what was termed 鈥渄octors killing patients as a medical act.鈥� The CMA has historically opposed euthanasia and assisted suicide for ethical reasons but despite the recent vote the issue is not 鈥減ermanently settled,鈥� Somerville cautioned.
鈥淟ike what happened with same sex marriage, those supporting it will keep coming back until they succeed,鈥� said Somerville, a professor at the McGill University Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have anything to lose by doing so.鈥�
The resolutions concerning euthanasia were introduced by CMA delegates from Quebec, where the provincial government recently introduced Bill 52 to decriminalize euthanasia by calling it 鈥渕edical aid in dying鈥� and making it a health-care issue. Health falls under provincial jurisdiction, while the Criminal Code, which outlaws euthanasia as a form of homicide, is a federal matter.
Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose told journalists in Calgary that the Stephen Harper government has no intention of reopening the euthanasia debate.
鈥淎s you know, Parliament voted in 2010 to not change its position on this issue so at this time we don鈥檛 have any 鈥� any intention of changing our position, she said.鈥�
Anti-euthanasia groups welcomed Ambrose鱿鱼视频app words.
Michele Boulva, director of the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), said she hoped the federal government would 鈥渁ct decisively鈥� against Quebec鱿鱼视频app challenge to the Criminal Code through Bill 52.
鈥淭he crucial question now is whether the federal government will uphold the law of the land against the encroachments of a group of misguided ideologues,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he business of government is the pursuit of the common good and that can never mean giving some 鈥� in this instance doctors鈥攖he wherewithal to kill.
鈥淐all it what they may, the pro-euthanasia lobby in the Province of Quebec has been very ingenious in sowing confusion and in deceiving too many citizens who, therefore, do not understand that 鈥榤edical aid in dying鈥� is about killing people.鈥�
The CMA also passed a resolution that 鈥渟upports the right of any physician to exercise conscientious objection when faced with a request for medical aid in dying.鈥�
While the CMA rejected calls to revisit its 2007 policy against euthanasia and assisted suicide, delegates did endorse several resolutions in favour of palliative care. In one, they resolved that 鈥渆very person nearing the end of life who wishes to receive palliative care services at home should have access to them.鈥� 鈥圱he CMA also endorsed the initiation of curriculum at medical universities for training in palliative care.
Campaign Life Coalition lobbyist Johanne Brownrigg noted the federal government provided $6 million toward palliative care funding that she said came after lobbying efforts.
鈥淭his government鱿鱼视频app approach to euthanasia and assisted suicide has provided a blueprint,鈥� Brownrigg said. 鈥淚t is entrenching an approach to compassion, through Parliament, the courts and through funding of palliative care.
鈥淚t is a life-affirming definition of compassion in the face of suffering,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope Quebec residents recognize the stark difference in their government鱿鱼视频app approach.鈥�