Canada Euthanized 10,000 People in 2021
Tom Leonard has filed a report for the Daily Mail in which he states that, last year, 10,000 people in Canada ended their lives via euthanasia. You have probably already heard the story of disabled veteran Christine Gauthier, who petitioned the government for a stairlift and was offered euthanasia as an alternative. But Leonard also highlights the story of Alan Nichols of British Columbia. He had depression and non-life-threatening medical conditions. Alan was hospitalized because it was feared he might attempt suicide. He asked his brother Gary to help him leave the facility. One month later, Alan submitted a euthanasia request. The reason? Hearing loss. Gary said that his brother was essentially put to death.
At age 71, Rod McNeill was hospitalized in Ontario after a fall. According to his daughter, Erin Smith, he was euthanized. The reason was allegedly end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But Smith said an autopsy showed that her father did not suffer from that problem. Shelia Elson lives in Newfoundland. Her daughter has cerebral palsy. Elson was told that she was being selfish for not considering euthanasia as a treatment option for her daughter.
And it shows no signs of slowing down. Stephen Green has already reported about how Canada’s MAiD program has made assisted suicide an option for people who suffer from a variety of life’s problems from depression to poverty. Reuters said on Sunday that starting in March, the MAiD program will be extended to people whose only issue is mental illness. There is an application process, and two clinicians must decide if the condition is irremediable and intolerable. Candidates must be able to understand the scope and consequences of their decisions. But the stories reported by Leonard in his piece for the Daily Mail seem to indicate that is not happening. And if a person is mentally incapable of making a decision for themselves, what happens then? – READ MORE
Responses