Medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Legalized in 2016 but still made available only to very, very few of the terminally ill.
This should be a health-care right and a part of basic health-care needs, not a political issue. Why aren’t they concerned with removing all the red tape? Québec have forged into the future, pushing the issue by overriding the federal law.
Giving compassionate health care to people who have asked for it in advance. This should be enacted everywhere, and made retroactive for requests written prior to legalization. This should be made available to everyone afflicted with terminal illness, whether physical or mental. Period.
Why isn’t it? Why is each government putting off amendments, in the hope it becomes the next government’s problem?
Ask yourself, do you feel that we have adequate capacity in our long-term care (LTC) facilities, and hospitals, or that those afflicted with debilitating mental illnesses have ample support and resources to ease their suffering and improve their quality of life? No, they don’t.
Current wait lists for LTC beds, in under staffed, under paid, under supported facilities are often years long.
Mental illnesses that have been treated with every available measure and ineffective medication, leaving folks who still struggle and are forced to endure, against their will for a whole lifetime, often resulting in multiple emergencies and undue pain and suffering.
Increasing the costs to society, adding even further strain to an over-stretched medical system. Those impacted who should have the choice for a humane, compassionate death at their request, but are denied. And why?
What is the basis on making one’s own death illegal?
Why should any person be forced to live through cognitive decline to the bitter end, until they take their last painful breath? Until their illness does so much damage that their body finally fails on its own? That is cruel inhumane punishment in my opinion, and specifically what M.A.I.D. was legalized to prevent.
Why must people be made to suffer the maximum amount of time possible? Against their wishes.
The politicians are not taking action, always delaying, delaying. It is called laziness, and is neglectful. Put the measures in place. Now. Right now.
Consult with the doctors, and come up with satisfactory safeguards or wait period, second opinion requirement, etc. But put it in action for those people who want it, should be able to request, and be approved for it.
Not “maybe in 2027.” Now. Right now.
Tessa Smith,
Sundre
