Canadian Freedom of Conscience Act

Since the legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in Canada in 2016, there has been little protection for medical professionals who refuse to participate in providing MAiD. Since 2016, access to euthanasia has only continued to expand and Doctors with conscientious objections increasingly run into problems with patient requests for MAiD.

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In 2019 a Bill to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying) was debated but failed to pass, as did another similar Bill in October 2022. There was concern about the pressure on medical professionals to act against their beliefs.

Medics. nurses and other health care professionals need to be aware of the conscience issue indirectly as well as directly, as a change in law will aim to make 'effectual referral' a legal requirement.

We believe that the general public in Jersey need to also be aware of this as should there be a change in the law locally, health care professionals who don’t agree with Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia will undoubtedly be forced into a position to choose whether or not they remain in the Island and to continue to practice. This comes at a time when there is already a growing concern about the number of local GPs and other health care professionals.