Canadians have mixed views on whether doctors should proactively raise the possibility of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) with patients, according to a new survey by Christian public policy thinktank Cardus and the Angus Reid Institute.
The survey happened online between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 (2024) utilizing a representative random sample of 4,004 Canadian adults, all of whom are members of the Angus Reid Forum.
Results of the survey show 40 percent of respondents saying doctors should not be allowed to mention MAiD unless requested by the patients.
By comparison, 43 percent said that such a ban should not be enforced. A further 17 percent remain undecided on the issue.
The data breaks down that such a ban on doctors mentioning MAiD is supported most of all by men aged 18 to 24 comprising 51 percent of respondents, with 48 percent of women in the same age bracket close behind and in agreement with that view.
“MAiD is not just another care option and should not be presented as such,” said Dr. Rebecca Vachon, health program director at Cardus.
“Canada should follow the lead of jurisdictions like New Zealand and some Australian States, which include such a prohibition as a safeguard on their assisted dying programs. Even well-meaning clinicians may not recognize how raising such an option could be interpreted as a recommendation or as a sign that a physician has given up on their care.”
An equal split also shows for Canadians on whether a patient would feel under pressure to opt for death if a doctor proactively suggested MAiD. 41 percent agreed that a patient would feel such pressure but 41 percent disagreed with such a notion, saying patients would not feel pressured.
Again, younger adults aged 18 to 34 were the leading age group expressing concern that patients could feel pressure to choose death.
Those with disabilities gave views in the survey, showing half of respondents with a severe disability feeling concern about feeling pressure to choose death if a doctor suggested it. This compares to 38 percent of non disabled Canadians saying they were not worried.
“We already know that Canadians with disabilities face particular barriers to accessing healthcare and other supports, including experiencing ableism or bias from providers and institutions,” added Vachon.
“Politicians, policymakers, regulators, and medical professionals need to prioritize removing those barriers while protecting vulnerable individuals from potential pressure to accept premature death instead of care.”
Meanwhile, Canada has one of the fastest growing euthanasia and assisted suicide progams in the world—and Cardus has issued another statement condemning the continuing upsurge as “alarming.”
The 2023 Health Canada report on MAiD reconfirmed that the large rise in MAiD deaths since 2016 is “far faster than the federal government, the courts, or pro-euthanasia activists ever publicly predicted before or since legalization.”
Cardus added that the rise in euthanasia deaths is “doubly alarming” following a recent report from Ontario’s chief coroner reportedly relaying compliance problems for MAiD.
“Given the continued rise in euthanasia deaths, compliance problems, and the need to ensure equitable access to health care and other support for Canadians it is inconceivable that Canada’s government would move toward further expanding eligibility for MAiD,” said Vachon.
“Instead, Canada’s health minister should be leading the charge for real and effective improvements to the safeguards around euthanasia and assisted suicide.”
Meanwhile, six in 10 Canadians in a survey are worried about vulnerable people, for social or financial reasons, being persuaded into MAiD because of a lack of access to quality healthcare, as previously reported by Christian Daily International. Canadians with disabilities also endure difficulties finding such care, the same survey showed.
