December 16, 2024

Dear Friends:

Thank you to the many supporters who donated online during the postal strike. The Canada Post strike has been devastating to the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) and we still need your help.

Christmas donations represent approximately one-third of our yearly donations. Please consider making a gift at this time. Our work depends on you. The postal strike also underscored the importance of people becoming monthly donors.

Christmas is a time of hope and renewal.

On December 11, Canada’s Ministry of Health released the Fifth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada 2023, which indicated that there were 15,343 reported euthanasia deaths in 2023 representing 4.7% of all deaths. There have been 60,301 Canadian euthanasia deaths since legalization (June 2016 to December 31, 2023) and now there has likely been more than 75,000 Canadian euthanasia deaths.

There is specific concern related to the number, growth and types of euthanasia deaths in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. Further concerns include the fact that in 2023, 1,392 of the euthanasia deaths listed “frailty” as a reason, 933 listed chronic pain as a reason and 241 listed dementia as a reason. One hundred and six cases listed dementia as the only reason, even though the law does not permit euthanasia for dementia alone. Another concern is with the “other conditions” category. The report indicated that when a person with disabilities died based on a Track 1 approval (the person is considered terminally ill), 46.2% of those deaths were based on “other conditions” and when it was a Track 2 approval (the person is not considered terminally ill), 62.9% of those deaths were based on “other conditions”. Canada’s euthanasia law does not define “other conditions”. A University of Toronto professor of psychiatry told CTV News that, according to the report, there was likely at least 622 euthanasia deaths that were non-compliant with the law.

Do you have a story? There have likely been 75,000 euthanasia deaths since legalization. EPC has produced an 8.5 by 11 inch poster designed to encourage people to contact us with their story. EPC will send printed posters upon request if you display them in a local Church, community centre or other prominent place. Email info@epcc.ca or call 1-877-439-3348.

In October, Ontario’s Chief Coroner released a report from the MAiD Death Review Committee, which indicated that from 2018 to 2023 there were at least 428 non-compliant euthanasia deaths with some of the deaths being egregious. None of the non-compliant deaths outlined in the report resulted in a criminal prosecution or the removal of a medical license.

Hope abounds. During the recent British assisted suicide debate, the Ontario report and the Canadian euthanasia stories caused the British government to distance themselves from Canada’s euthanasia law. Many Canadian news outlets published articles about the MDRC report, and demand for change has become relevant.

On Monday December 9, EPC attended Alberta government sessions to examine possible changes to the province’s euthanasia (“MAiD”) regulations. Gordon Friesen, our president, participated in an online session while Jim Mahony, a board member, and I participated in separate in-person sessions. We have hope for positive change.

The Québec government implemented euthanasia by advanced request on October 30. The federal government responded by establishing a “national conversation” on euthanasia by advanced request. Euthanasia by advanced request means that a person could request euthanasia in advance, while competent, and when the person becomes incompetent, they could be legally killed. In other words, euthanasia by advanced request would allow medical practitioners to kill incompetent people who cannot consent.

On December 12, the federal government opened an online survey for the national conversation on euthanasia by advanced request. Similar to previous Canadian consultations on euthanasia, the online survey is a sham because the questions concerning the rules that would be followed to permit euthanasia by advanced request assume that you support euthanasia and the questions do not provide the option of opposing.

We are asking you to contact your Member of Parliament to express that the “national conversation” on euthanasia by advanced request does not provide proper options for those who oppose the change in the law.

In 2025, EPC will launch a campaign urging the Canadian government to provide a complete review of the law.

Your donation to EPC is absolutely needed and appreciated. Can you make a generous Christmas donation? As stated earlier, the postal strike also clarified the importance of our monthly donors. We hope that many people will become monthly donors by credit card or pre-authorized giving.

We wish you and your families a happy and holy Christmas season.

Thank you again for your financial support. We cannot continue without it.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director