Last week, I listened to a speech by Dr. José Pereira, chief of palliative medicine at a long-term care hospital in Ottawa called Bruyère Continuing Care. Dr. Pereira specializes in pain management and end of life issues.  He was speaking to a group of MPs about euthanasia and assisted suicide. Dr. Pereira urged us to oppose bill C-384, a pro-euthanasia bill brought in by Bloc Québécois. Bill C-384 is generally opposed by MPs from the other three parties.

During his speech, Dr. Pereira challenged our group of MPs to support positive palliative care policies. Instead of supporting euthanasia and assisted suicide, government policy needs to be structured around providing the appropriate support for those people going through the most severe challenge of their lives. A palliative care strategy should be advanced. Whether that be using the most up to date medication, (pain medications have made amazing advances in the last 20 years); the appropriate staffing of nurses, doctors and social workers; or even basic education for health care professionals.

I’m opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide for a variety of reasons. I believe in the innate dignity of all human life. It is guaranteed that under euthanasia laws, people will eventually be pressured to end their lives for financial or social reasons.

Canada needs better palliative care. We don’t need assisted suicide or euthanasia, not now, not ever.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt.  You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.