Canada Defeats Bill Legalizing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Editor’s note. The following is from Alex Schadenberg, executive director of Canada’s Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Bill C-384, the private members bill that would have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada was strongly defeated by a vote of 228 to 59.

We would like to thank every member of parliament who voted against Bill C-384. We would also like to thank all of our supporters who made this victory possible. Months of work have resulted in an incredible victory. But the battle is not over.

We are working to turn the debate on this issue to a debate on how Canadians can live with dignity.

We recognize that many people have raised legitimate concerns.

It is our goal to work with members of parliament and other Canadian leaders to identify ways to:

- improve palliative/hospice care throughout Canada,

- change attitudes and improve services for people with disabilities,

- institute an effective national suicide prevention strategy,

- promote programs that identify and eliminate the scourge of elder abuse.

We must continue to build a nation that upholds the dignity of all its citizens.

We must continue to create a paradigm that protects all Canadians, including its most vulnerable.

We reject the concept that killing can be the answer to problems that are properly solved by a caring society.

Be sure to read our new blog, “National Right to Life News Today” (www.nationalrightolifenews.org).