Physician-assisted death condemned by Alberta bishops, doctor, patient

An emergency room doctor invited by the Catholic bishops of Alberta to speak out against physician-assisted death says the issue could create a dangerous conflict of interest for himself and many of his colleagues.

Dr. MatthewMeeuwissen, an emergency doctor atWestviewHealth Centre in Stony Plain, said he wants the right to not only refuse to help a patient die but also to refuse to refer that patient to another doctor who might have a different view on the issue.

• Albertans grapple with issues surrounding physician-assisted death

Meeuwissentold reporters at a newsconference organized Thursday by theCatholic bishops thatthe Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeonis reviewing standards of practice regarding moral or religious beliefs that affectmedical care.

According to the proposed standards, which have now been sent out for feedback,doctors who refuse a patient's request for help with aphysician-assisted death must referthat patientto another doctoror other "information source."

"This puts us in a direct conflict of interest, between moral values, religious values an oath that we have taken, and what the college is asking us to do,"Meeuwiseensaid.

"If I refer my patient to another physician for the sole purpose of enabling my patient's death, I am sending my patient to their death.And I am morally culpable for this action."

The college said if the new standards are adopted, physicianswill be required to follow them, despite any objections they might have.

"If that standard is passed," said Kelly Eby, spokeswoman for the college, "physicians will not have the option of completely refusing. They will either have to refer or provide access to resources. And if someone then says, 'Well, my physicianabsolutely, flat-out refused, then that is the basis for a complaint."

'Suicide assistants'

Mark Pickup, whowas diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 30 years ago, also spoke out against physician-assisted death. Hesaid he is thankful there were no "suicide assistants" around years ago when his condition was at its worst.

He said a person's decision to die affects not only that individual but the family and the community.

"We are not autonomous beings," he said. "We are not independent. Autonomy and community are diametrically opposed. You cannot have both. And I for one choose community over self."

In February 2015, the Supreme Court ruledthe century-old law prohibiting physician-assisted death violated Canadians'charter rights. The court gave the federal government a year to come up with new legislation to deal with the issue. The government has since asked for an extension, and that legislation is now expected by June.

In the strongly worded statement, the bishopsoutlinedtheir opposition.

"The decision of the Supreme Court of Canada makes legally permissible in some circumstanceswhat is morally wrong in every circumstance: the taking of innocent human life," they said.

Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith said hospitals operated by Covenant Health, a Catholic organization that runs continuing-care facilities and hospitals across Alberta (including Edmonton's Grey Nuns and theMisericorida)will not offer physician-assisted death.

"The short answer,obviously, is no," he told reporters.

Church not out of touch, bishops say

Smith denied the bishops' statement demonstrates the church is out of touch with modern society. He said it instead it protectssociety from taking a dramatic and dangerous change of direction.

"This (Supreme Court) decision represents a societal revolution, because it takes the step of no longer walking with those who suffer and seeking to alleviate the suffering," he said. "It moves from that to a decision to eliminate the one who suffers."

In their statement, the Alberta bishopssaidsafeguards in jurisdictions that already allow assisted-death do not work and imperilvulnerable people, such asthe elderly or people with mental and physical disabilities.

The bishops called on the Alberta government to begin a consultation process open to anyone who wants to speak to the issue.

They also want the province to protect physicians' "conscience rights," sayingdoctors and hospitals should be allowed to opt out.

Physicians whoobjects to physician-assisted death "must not be coerced into referring a patient to another professional," they said.

A bettersolution for those who are suffering, according to the bishops, is excellent palliative care, whichthey say is"the ethical way to ensure that allAlbertanscan die in a manner that respects their true human dignity."

"We want to be clear that, from a Catholic perspective, the intentional, willful act of killing oneself or another human being is morally wrong."