Dear Editor,
I recently received an invite to the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) information session/forum organized by MP Marc Dalton in my email inbox. I was unable to attend as I had committed myself to a National Day of Truth and Reconcilliation event. This past week was a somber time for Canadians, and the world, to learn about colonization and the residential school system and to honour the survivors.
I still wish, however, to express how unsettling I found the notion of a forum, focussed on such a deeply personal, and highly stigmatized, controversial, and often politicized topic, being organized by the office of our Member of Parliament. My reasons for concern seemed validated by the video shared with the invite which presented a very one-sided depiction of the practice of MAiD.
Below, I have compiled a list of links for community members to explore if they are looking to learn more about MAiD. I have made an effort to source neutral resources, from a number of diverse organizations.
If the MP has found our community’s interest in MAiD to be so overwhelming, my humble suggestion would be to, perhaps, work with the local health authority and bring together health care experts, those working in the field of palliative care and mental health, academics and researchers, maybe a lawyer versed in the legislation, and of course, persons with lived experience to ensure that conservative worldviews do not unintentionally paint the backdrop of the forum.
Personally, I have amassed a long list of my own questions about MAiD for the MP around: advanced requests; funding for more palliative care and hospice beds and palliative homecare services; the desperate need for mental health resources and providers; as well as how the federal government is addressing homelessness. Why?
The media has covered evocative stories about individual Canadians leaning towards choosing MAiD for reasons beyond “grievous and irremediable” medical conditions that unequivocally contribute to human suffering.
All that being said, MAiD is not the antithesis of palliative care as the two can occur alongside each other.
Persons with mental illness alone are not eligible under the current legislation—this is up for review by the federal government in 2024.
Finally, and as per the government of B.C., “British Columbians seeking medical assistance in dying should speak with their doctor, nurse practitioner or local health authority’s care co-ordination service for medical assistance in dying” and probably not their MP.
Marissa Stalman, SFU master’s candidate
Here is a link with resources from,
Government of Canada:
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/ad-am/bk-di.html
Fraser Health MAiD website:
https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/end-of-life-care/medical-assistance-in-dying#.Y-1CoHbMKUk
Canadian Association Mental Health:
https://www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/maid-and-mental-illness-faqs
Alzheimers Society of Canada:
http://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/im-caring-person-living-dementia/end-life-care/medical-assistance-dying
Dying with Dignity (these are proponents of MAiD, FYI):
https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/end-of-life-support/get-the-facts-on-maid/
And, some more BC-specific information
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care/medical-assistance-in-dying
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