Freedom of choice

Re: Time to change the narrative around religion, April 15 While Angus Reid was polling the Canadian people on issues of faith, an Ontario legislative committee was hearing from physicians, who were explaining why they should have the freedom to not hasten their patients’ deaths. The Liberal MPPs were not actually listening, as they had made up their minds long before. Their committee leader insinuated that physicians who request conscience protection do not sufficiently care about their patients.

On April 11, the Liberal majority voted down an amendment for conscience protection, to the great detriment of the province. As shown by the Angus Reid poll, religiously committed Canadians are most likely to prioritize concern for others, unlike non- believers who prefer to commit themselves to their own comfort and enjoyment. Religiously committed Canadians are more likely to donate their time and money for charitable causes, and to be involved in the community. These are the people who, according to at least one Liberal MPP, need not apply for medical school. The Ontario government made a bad decision to discriminate against their most committed physicians, strip them of their human rights and treat them as second- class citizens. Ontario is the only place in the world that so highly prioritizes assisted death that it takes away doctors’ freedom to choose whether or not to be involved. Janice Halpern MD, Toronto