By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Kelly Block, the Member of Parliament from Carlton Trail/Eagle Creek in Saskatchewan has sponsored Private Members Bill C-268: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (intimidation of health care professionals) cited as the Protection of Freedom of Conscience Act.
Bill C-268 protects conscience rights for medical professionals by preventing coercion and intimidation to participate in acts and protects their employment for medical professionals who conscientiously object to certain acts.
Bill C-268 amends Section 241.5 (1) of the criminal code to state:
Every person who, for the purpose of compelling a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other health care professional to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assistance in dying, uses violence or threats of violence, coercion or any other form of intimidation, is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.
Bill C-268 also amends Section 241.5 (2) of the criminal code to state:
Every person who refuses to employ, or dismisses from their employment, a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other health care professional for the reason only that they refuse to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assistance in dying is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition supports Bill C-268, and we will keep you up-to-date with the progress of the bill.
Editor’s note. This appeared in a slightly different form on Mr. Schadenberg’s blog and is reposted with permission.