Your MP needs to hear from you today
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- Published on Tuesday, 26 April 2016 12:30
- Written by editor
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Dear PAOV,
The bottom line is that the proposed legislation on medically assisted dying is too restrictive.
It does not comply with the Supreme Court's decision in Carter v. Canada, and it violates the Charter rights of incurably ill Canadians suffering against their will.
Debate on the legislation has just started in Parliament.
Your MP needs to hear your voice before they vote. Click here to learn more and contact your MP.
The truth the federal government is denying is that their legislation would exclude entire categories of suffering Canadians who have already fought for and won their right to make their own end of life decisions.
Kay Carter, the woman at the very centre of the BCCLA's death with dignity case, had spinal stenosis— a disease that was not killing her but left her in prolonged and indefinite suffering. This proposed legislation would bar people like Kay from exercising their right to decide for themselves when they have suffered enough.
The government is trying to erase Kay, and people like her, from the Carter v. Canada victory.
If this bill passes in its current state, it will shift the burden back onto sick Canadians to go to court to fight for their rights. I am asking you to do everything in your power to prevent that from happening.
Your voice can make all the difference. This bill will be put to a free vote before Parliament, which means every MP will get to decide for themselves how to vote.
MPs who are hearing from their constituents are calling for amendments.
Liberal MP Yasmin Ratansi has been hearing from her constituents, and she will be pushing for change.
"Bottom line is I'd like to see some changes to suit my constituents' needs and to respect the Carter (decision) as a benchmark," MP Ratansi said in an interview with CBC.
Your MP needs to hear from you this week before the bill goes to committee on May 2, 2016.
Please raise your voice today.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Kingston
Director of Community Engagement
