Prorogation Delays The Vote On C-384

One of the few negative consequences of the recent prorogation is that the vote on the euthanasia bill (C-384) is delayed once again. Since it's a private member bill, C-384 will survive the prorogation and will be automatically reinstated at the previous stage, once the Parliament resumes in March. Still, the second hour of debate and the actual vote, which originally should have taken place last fall, is not going to occur until late March.

That allows the euthanasia supporters to win a lot more time in their attempt to save the bill C-384. They'll try to win the support of the more moderate MPs (mostly those who oppose euthanasia, but support assisted suicide,) by promising a compromise, to be worked out by the committee, should bill C-384 pass the second reading. No compromise however justifies making intended death legal. Yes, they may call it "euthanasia" or "assisted suicide", but in reality we're talking about direct actions that intentionally cause patient's death. That's what bill C-384 is all about:

• Bill C-384 would legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.
  (For the purpose of the analysis, euthanasia and assisted suicide will be referred to as "intended death".)
• Bill C-384 does not restrict intended death to Canadian citizens. (The bill could make Canada a destination for Suicide Tourists and Suicide Clinics).
• The individual would need to be at least 18 years old.
• Bill C-384 does not limit intended death to the terminally ill and it does not define terminal illness.
• The individual may refuse appropriate treatments and still die by an intended death.
• Bill C-384 allows intended death for people who experience depression or other chronic mental conditions.
• Bill C-384 measures competency based on "appearing to be lucid". The term "appearing to be lucid" does not assure that the individual is actually lucid.
• The language of the bill is not clear whether medical practitioners are the only individuals who can intend the death of an incompetent individual.

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It's being speculated that the Parliament is not going to last long. Many predict a failed confidence vote (on the budget or even on the Throne Speech,) and yet another early election call shortly after the new Parliamentary session begins in March. If that happens, then euthanasia is likely to become an election issue - among with many other items that haven't been passed by the 40-th Parliament. And it will be up to us, the voters, to make it clear that we want no more compromises on our right to life.