FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
May 29, 2009

 LifeCanada strongly opposes a dangerous new bill that would legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Canada.

Bill C-384 was introduced by Bloc MP Francine Lalonde in Parliament on May 13, 2009. The legislation would permit assisted suicide and euthanasia for anyone 18 or older who is experiencing “severe physical or mental pain” and has tried or refused appropriate treatment.

“These people need help, not a suicide prescription,” said Gudrun Schultz, Executive Director of LifeCanada/VieCanada. “Suicide already takes the lives of 4,000 Canadians every year. Each one of these is a tragedy. We should be trying to reduce that number with appropriate support and health care. This bill will lead to just the opposite---more deaths.”

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in Canada, following accidental death.

Seniors are another high-risk group, more than twice as likely as the general population to end their lives by suicide out of loneliness, depression or physical pain. Quality palliative care is available for less than 40% of those who need it.

“We can treat pain, both mental and physical. Canadians need access to quality mental health care and palliative care, not assisted suicide,” said Schultz.

“Beneath the language of “compassion” and “dignity”, assisted suicide remains an act of violence. It indicates a society that abandons desperate people who need love and appropriate care. We urge Canadians to reject this bill.”

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For more information contact Gudrun Schultz at 866-780-5433
or Dr. Delores Doherty at 709-754-2068