Editor:
In response to the B.C. Ministry of Health forcing MAiD on the Delta Hospice, I would like to point out the World Health Organization definition of palliative care is that it “affirms life and regards dying as a normal process; intends neither to hasten or postpone death.”
Health Canada stated in an email to me that Canadians deserve to live in comfort and dignity, and that the legislation states that caregivers are not compelled to provide or assist in providing MAiD.
The federal budget includes increased funding for palliative care which shows they recognize the importance of this division of Canadian health care.
The B.C. government should support palliative care which, among other important health care services, is aimed at controlling pain.
Euthanasia is a very serious concern in our culture and must be treated that way. Palliative/hospice care and euthanasia are not compatible and should not be combined.
There are other facilities that provide euthanasia for those who do not believe in palliative/hospice care.
Lisa Lewko
