MP Warawa Introduces Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act

Source - Nursing Link - Euthanasia

Ottawa, ON – Today, Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley — Aldergrove, introduced his Private Member’s Bill C-268: Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act.
 
Warawa’s bill would amend the Liberal government’s assisted suicide legislation, Bill C-14. It would guarantee the protection of conscience rights of physicians and health care professionals who conscientiously object to participating in assisted suicide and euthanasia.

“I have heard from Canadians across the country who are very concerned that physicians and health care professionals would be forced to participate in assisted suicide or euthanasia against their will,” said Warawa. “There has been overwhelming agreement that legislation is needed to protect the conscience rights of physicians.”
 
The Canadian Medical Association noted that approximately 70% of Canadian physicians do not want to participate, directly or indirectly, in assisted suicide and euthanasia. The remaining 30%, approximate 24,000 Canadian physicians, have indicated that they would provide assisted suicide and euthanasia.
 
“I encourage all Canadians and parliamentarians to lend their support for this very important piece of legislation that will protect the conscience rights of Canadians,” said Warawa. Canadians can sign the conscience protection petition at markwarawa.com. 
 
Backgrounder:
 
C-268 makes it a criminal offence to intimidate or coerce a physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or any other health care professional to take part, directly or indirectly, in assisted suicide or euthanasia. 
 
It also makes it a criminal offence to dismiss from employment or to refuse to employ a physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or any other health care professional if they refuse to take part, directly or indirectly, in assisted suicide or euthanasia.

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