Friends and Advocates for Catholic Education made their collective presence known May 29 at Queen's Park during the group's annual lobby day appearance.

In a strict party lines vote, a bill that would have shielded doctors and other health care providers from punishment for refusing to refer their patients on for assisted suicide was voted down at QueenöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Park on May 18.

Armed with letters of support from religious community leaders, plus the official positions of the Ontario, Canadian and American Medical Associations, health care professionals descended on QueenöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Park May 18 in support of a Progressive Conservative private members’ bill that would shield doctors from punishment by the College of Physicians and Surgeons and other regulatory bodies if they refuse to refer for medically assisted suicide

The majority Liberal government at QueenöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Park has crushed an opposition attempt to incorporate conscience protections for doctors in its legislation on assisted suicide.

Amendments to a government bill have been forward that would protect OntarioöÏÓãÊÓƵapp doctors and nurses who, for reasons of conscience, cannot refer for medical assistance in dying (MAID).

With the Ontario budget expected to come down soon, the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) observed its tradition of praying for each of the 107 MPPs by name in the hope of a budget that will deal justly with the poor of the province.

With more than 22,000 emails and letters in their in-boxes, Ontario legislators have rarely been under as much pressure to amend a bill as they have been over conscience rights for doctors in Bill-84.

Doctors are being bullied, silenced and coerced in a pro-euthanasia environment which is forcing those who object to medically assisted suicide to provide an effective referral for patients who wish to die, provincial legislators were told during hearings into Bill 84.

A naturopath stole the show as hearings began into OntarioöÏÓãÊÓƵapp enabling legislation for doctor assisted suicide at QueenöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Park on March 23.

The right being sought by many Ontario doctors to refuse to give patient referrals for euthanasia and assisted suicide will be addressed in committee meetings at QueenöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Park in the next month.