Euthanasia Bill+ Canadian Parliament, euthanasia abuses in Belgium]

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MP Introduces Euthanasia Bill into Canadian Parliament

By John Jalsevac

May 14, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) -

 

Francine Lalonde, the Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament from La

Pointe-de-l'Île, on Tuesday introduced a private members bill to legalize

euthanasia in Canada.

 

Bill C-384* would add an exception to the criminal code, ensuring that

doctors will not face criminal prosecution if they help a person die who is at

least 18 years old and who, after being given or refusing treatment,

continues to " experience severe physical or mental pain without any prospect of

relief, " or suffers from terminal illness.

" The time has come for this Parliament to find a way to decriminalize

medical assistance in dying, which is of such vital importance to those whose

suffering can no longer be relieved except by this ultimate compassion, "

said Lalonde in introducing the bill.

 

Lalonde went on to observe that so far three countries in the E.U., and

two U.S. states, have legalized assisted suicide. " Serious research into the

application of this legislation and their very specific criteria clearly

shows that the greatest fear expressed in this Parliament some years ago,

abuses and the hypothetical slippery slope, has not in any way become reality, "

she said.

 

She also claimed that " a remarkable progression has taken place in public

opinion concerning the need for such a law. Increasingly, people believe

that they should have the right to choose, when the time comes. "

 

This is Lalonde's third attempt to legalize euthanasia in Canada.

Her first two attempts that were introduced in June 2005 (Bill C-407) and

June 2008 (Bill C-562), would have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide

in Canada. Both bills were not limited to the direct and intentional

killing of terminally ill persons, but also people experiencing chronic

physical

and mental pain. The current bill also makes allowances for euthanasia for

physical and mental pain.

 

Lalonde stated in the House of Commons in February that she intended to

introduce a bill to legalize euthanasia in Canada. Lalonde is number 42 in the

private members bill order of precedence, meaning that unless an election

is called, it is likely that her bill will receive a vote at second reading.

 

Alex Schandenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition told LSN in

February about Lalonde's pending attempt at again legalizing euthanasia:

" We are very concerned about the bill.

 

" Our primary concern, " he said, " is that euthanasia and assisted suicide

directly threatens the lives of the most vulnerable in society. We should

not be focused on how to take the lives of the vulnerable but rather how we

should be caring for them.

 

" To legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide represents the right of one

person to take the life of another person. Our society should not be going

there. "

 

*Note: This article had originally erroneously reported that Lalonde's

article was number C-484. The actual name of the bill is Bill C-384.

 

Help the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition stop Lalonde's bill in Canada by

donating by paypal online at:

_http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/_

(http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/)

 

To see related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

 

Canadian MP Introduces Bill to Legalize Euthanasia Again

_http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08062309.html_

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08062309.html)

 

Canadian MP Again Seeks to Legalize Assisted Suicide

_http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06080101.html_

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06080101.html)

 

Bill C-407 A Bill to Legalize Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

_http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jul/050706a.html_

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jul/050706a.html)

 

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jul/050706a.html) Canadian

Parliamentary Euthanasia Debate Begins - Conservative MP Slams Proposal

_http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/nov/05110201.html_

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/nov/05110201.html)

 

Canada " Not Ready " for Assisted Suicide Debate - Liberal Senator

_http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/mar/06030709.html_

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/mar/06030709.html)

 

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" The Weekend Cleanup " : The Gruesome Aftermath of Legalized Euthanasia in

Belgium

By Kathleen Gilbert

 

LANSDOWN, Virginia, June 1, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - As Canada and

several U.S. states mull over legislation to legalize assisted suicide or

euthanasia, one Belgian man has claimed that silent acceptance of euthanasia in

his country has led to unspeakable routine abuse, and is warning the Western

hemisphere to be on guard against the encroaching euthanasia agenda.

 

Lionel Roosemont told his story at the Second International Symposium on

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, held May 29-30 at the National Conference

Center in Lansdown, Virginia. The conference was hosted by the Euthanasia

Prevention Coalition, and co-sponsored by anti-euthanasia groups around the

world.

 

Roosemont says he came face-to-face with the euthanasia culture in Belgium

upon learning that his unborn daughter Tikvah, now 13 years old, would

suffer severe disabilities related to hydrocephalus. Encouraged to abort

Tikvah, Roosemont says he and his wife Renate decided to " swim against the

current, " and gave birth to their daughter.

 

Despite lacking most of her brain, the girl proved capable of movement,

sight, and hearing, contrary to her doctors' dire forecasts. Though harrowed

by the fight to preserve Tikvah's life from ending in abortion, said

Roosemont, " it was some of the training we needed to [fight] the equally

horrible

monster called euthanasia. "

 

In 2002, Belgium passed a law allowing euthanasia as requested by a

patient under " constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain " who has

issued written consent. A third doctor's opinion must be sought if the

illness is not terminal, and a one-month waiting period is mandatory for

patients

suffering from depression.

 

Roosemont described the prejudice Tikvah received in a society that, he

says, " changed dramatically since [the] euthanasia law was adopted. "

 

" Life is more and more losing its value, " said Roosemont. " Can you

understand why our daughter is never left alone in a hospital? "

 

In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com, Roosemont insisted that the actual

practice of euthanasia in Belgium disregards the " safeguards " attached to

the law. " We have a huge problem with lawlessness, " he said. Roosemont

claimed that the law is commonly transgressed " without there being any

consequences. "

 

Roosemont cited a 2006 report in the medical magazine Huisarts, written by

Dr. Marc Cosyns - whom he called the " Kevorkian " of Belgium - stating that

Cosyns had euthanized a woman suffering from dementia. Although the

procedure was patently illegal - not only was the woman not terminally ill, but

she was not fully lucid and had not given written consent - Cosyns was not

punished.

 

" The problem with us is that it's almost become a law [to disregard the

safeguards], " said Roosemont.

 

In his speech to the conference, Roosemont showed a video interview of one

of his elder daughters describing an encounter with a teacher concerning

Tikvah. Upon seeing Tikvah for the first time, the teacher said that she

ought to be euthanized.

 

" The actual words: 'She's just a euthanasia child,' " Roosemont told LSN.

He said he has heard the sentiment twice.

 

While the loose application of euthanasia restrictions is widely known

among Belgians, said Roosemont, the true depth of abuse is little understood.

One such abuse he claimed occurs routinely is the administration of lethal

drugs at one Belgian hospital to elderly, seriously ill patients - known as

the " weekend cleanup " - as described to him by a nurse who worked there.

 

" It is logical, " he said. " It is very logical. We live in the time of

instant coffee. What that means is that nobody wants to suffer. " Most of the

time, he said, elderly victims of euthanasia are not themselves suffering

from great pain, but are killed at the request of family burdened with

their care.

 

But because the subject is still taboo in Belgium, Roosemont says

indifference is widespread.

 

" The subject is taboo in Belgium. Main reason: the law has been voted

[upon], " he said. " So many people have become accomplices of killing, or

helping, at least approving, so you don't talk about that - and the moment

someone starts talking about that, most people start to protect themselves. "

 

Asked to comment on the situation in Canada, where MP Francine Lalonde

recently introduced a proposal to legalize euthanasia, Roosemont said, " You

will be surprised how fast this thing is coming. "

 

" And if ... the stories that I've been hearing here [are true], there's

already red [lights] flashing, " he said. " The big risk, I think, is that

many countries will be [facing] the same thing that happened with Roe v.

Wade. Before they know it, it will be there, and then they will react. The

laws will be there. That's what I think. So it's high time to do something to

inform as many people as possible. "

 

Roosemont urged anti-euthanasia activists to " tell them the stories - for

instance, what happened in Belgium. "

 

" Be alert! Not many people know what is hanging over their heads, " said

Roosemont. " Don't say I didn't warn you. And please, don't run away from the

responsibilities. "

 

 

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

 

MP Introduces Euthanasia Bill into Canadian Parliament

_http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09051404.html_

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09051404.html)