Canadians are deeply divided on euthanasia.
By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Editor’s note. Alex and Wesley J. Smith are teaming up to address the American and Canadian experience with euthanasia and assisted suicide at the 2023 National Right to Life Convention. For more information, go to https://nrlconvention.com/product-category/2023-registration.
A press release about a recent poll by Researchco.com concerning Canada’s euthanasia law states that “Canadians back the status quo on MAiD.” I have a different conclusion.
When analyzing the same data I conclude that Canadians oppose further expansions of euthanasia and support for Canada’s law has dropped.
The Researchco press release states that 73% of Canadians are satisfied with the current MAiD law which was down by 3% since 2021. The poll indicates that 48% of Canadians are satisfied with the current law, 25% are undecided, and 27% are dissatisfied with the law. The undecided are not necessarily satisfied with the law.
Canadians are deeply divided on euthanasia.
Quebec had the highest support for the existing law where 53% were satisfied with the law while Alberta had the lowest support with only 40% indicating satisfaction with the law.
The federal government recently passed legislation to expand its law on euthanasia to include those with mental illness starting in March 2024. According to the poll, only 43% support euthanasia for mental illness. The federal government has delayed a final decision for eligibility related to mental illness until March 2024.
The Researchco poll results are similar to the Angus Reid Institute poll in February 2023 which found that 51% were opposed and 31% supported euthanasia based on mental health.
There were several stories, over the past few years, of people who were approved for euthanasia based on disability or an inability to obtain medical treatment, homelessness or poverty.
The poll found that Canadians were divided on euthanasia being approved based on an inability to obtain medical treatment (51% support) or disability (50% support). When considering euthanasia for homelessness support dropped to 28% and support dropped to 27% when considering euthanasia for poverty.
The poll did not ask about child euthanasia (mature minors) or euthanasia by advanced consent. But the usual bioethicists are pushing to include these groupings as well/
Canadians are not demanding expansions to the euthanasia law and support for Canada’s euthanasia law has dropped. The polling company claimed that 73% of Canadians support the current law, but the data indicated 48% support for the current law and 25% were undecided. Similar to previous polls, the language of the poll affects the outcome of the poll.
Editor’s note. This appeared on Mr. Schadenberg’s blog and is reposted with permission.