Learning More about End-Of-Life Issues

No Options, No Choice

November 26 is Election Day in Nova Scotia. As candidates seek your vote, it is an opportunity to ask them about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).

Concern: Some patients feel badgered and harassed to consider MAiD

Background: bit.ly/MAIDNS

Question for your candidates: I read in a news article in the National Post that a woman who went in for a mastectomy to treat her breast cancer got offered medical assistance in dying 3 times. She was there because she was fighting her cancer. What is your party going to do to make sure something like this doesn’t happen to me or someone I love when I go to the doctor?

Concern: Nova Scotia Physicians forced to participate in MAiD

Background: bit.ly/NSRecruitment

Question for your candidates: I heard on CTV News that 41 doctors are unable to follow a NS policy that forces them to offer medical assistance in dying to patients and make arrangements for their patients to get the service. These doctors can be disciplined and may even have to leave the province because of their ethical convictions. What is the use of going to the trouble of recruiting 300 doctors to Nova Scotia, when we could lose 41 doctors because of an overly aggressive policy? What will your party do to ensure that all doctors can continue to care for patients without being forced to facilitate medical assistance in dying?

Concern: Patients are choosing death because they can’t get the care they need

Background: bit.ly/NSCare

Question for your candidate: I read a story from the CBC of a woman who sued the government to get access to healthcare. She was so desperate while she waited to get the care she needed that she applied for medical assistance in dying. What is your party going to do to make sure that Nova Scotians aren’t applying for medical assistance in dying because they can’t get access to care?

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Background:

In Nova Scotia, the College of Physicians and Surgeons has drafted a Professional Standard Regarding Conscientious Objection policy, proposing an effective referral policy for all physicians who have patients seeking Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD.) For physicians a referral is a recommendation that a patient explore a certain treatment. Some physicians have said they cannot recommend a procedure that they feel will harm their patient. If changes are not made to the College’s policy, physicians across the province – in rural and urban areas – may be forced to move or retire early.

Nova Scotia’s draft policy is the most restrictive in Canada, and creates unnecessary challenges in retaining and recruiting more physicians in our already stressed medical system. There is already a system in place allowing patients to access euthanasia without a formal referral.

Deacon Larry Worthen on behalf of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) Canada, held a media conference in July 2024.

Here is a list of links to media coverage:

Articles in the Press from July 4th Conference (3)

Watch the media conference: