Nearly all the families across Canada have been urging provincial governments to end the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) opt-out policy. Yet this policy still allows faith-based hospitals to deny these essential services. The problem has received some national attention. Some families are starting to tell their stories about being arbitrarily required to transfer loved ones who choose MAID to other long-term care homes. Alberta takes pride in hosting the most faith-based hospitals of any province in Canada. Yet now, change is being demanded by several provinces, and they’re singing out in unison.
Covenant Health, the largest operator of faith-based healthcare facilities in Alberta, recently announced its own plans to add capacity in Edmonton. This responsible expansion will increase capacity with an addition of 700 new beds at Grey Nuns and Misericordia hospitals. Today, there are more than 100 faith-based health facilities in Canada, representing an estimated 13,000 beds. The policies that govern these institutions differ widely from province to province. This last-minute variation continues to create obstacles for patients trying to reach critical medical care.
This situation has opened the door to important discussions about patient rights, institutional values, and academic freedom. Quebec is currently the only province that does not allow faith-based institutions to opt out of providing Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). Unsurprisingly, too many patients are effectively left with no options. Those seeking MAID, abortions, or gender-affirming care often find themselves having to navigate a complicated web of restrictions and requirements.
The Challenge of Accessing MAID
Families impacted by the opt-out policy have told painful stories of their coerced transfers. Risha Golby, 47, pictured above, was forced to relocate from Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital in order to access MAID. Likewise, Jim McCaffrey, 87, was sent from Bruyère Health Élisabeth-Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa for the same purpose. His wife, Helen McCaffrey, described the distressing experience, stating:
“We waited two hours and Jim kept saying to me, ‘Helen, are they here yet? Are they here yet?’” – Helen McCaffrey
The emotional and financial toll on families during these transitional periods is dizzying. Helen was in grief therapy for two years after her husband’s transfer. This unfortunate reality serves to underline just how devastating the psychological impacts of these policies can be on families and patients as well.
Dying With Dignity Canada estimates that there are over 100 forced transfers every year across the country. In one alarming case, a physician based in Vancouver has documented 44 patients forced to move in a single year. This shocking statistic should raise major red flags with respect to patient choice and access to care.
Institutional Values vs. Patient Rights
The larger debate around faith-based hospitals and their ability to opt-out of providing care reminds us of the important conflict between institutional beliefs and individual rights. Such institutions adhere to religious teachings that prohibit medical assistance in dying (MAID). As a result, patients who need care face obstacles that most people would consider intolerable in publicly financed healthcare systems.
People have charter rights, not institutions. She emphasizes that:
“In my view, an institution should not be able to impose its values on people who don’t share those values.” – Daphne Gilbert
Many families believe that the right to a dignified death should not be hindered by institutional policies that reflect specific moral or religious beliefs. Ashley Freeman, whose sister faced similar barriers, voiced her outrage over the policies:
“What I don’t accept is that an institution, a publicly funded institution, was allowed to deny my sister her right to a dignified death. And that to me is not defensible, and that is what needs to change.” – Ashley Freeman
Freeman shared how, in her sister’s last hours, she was refused and not provided necessary accommodations.
“They didn’t even have a bed for her to lie in,” she said. “So we did our best to get her settled into a La-Z-Boy recliner.” – Ashley Freeman
These types of experiences expose the gaps in policy that require reform regarding faith-based healthcare settings and access to MAID.
The Growing Capacity of Faith-Based Facilities
Covenant Health, the other major provider of Catholic-based health services, is growing its facilities in Alberta and is in the process of adding another 700 beds. Yet this disproportionate growth raises troubling questions for MAID recipients’ access to other necessary health services. Covenant Health’s spokesperson emphasized their commitment to compassionate care while respecting their faith-based mission:
“This approach reflects our commitment to compassionate care, patient rights and transparency.” – Covenant Health spokesperson
While these assurances are welcome, the truth is that too many patients are still without good care alternatives. Bruyère Health expressed concern over the impact of their policies on patient experiences:
“It is not reflective of the experience we would want for anyone we care for.” – Bruyère Health spokesperson
These faith-based health facilities are expanding rapidly overall in Canada. It is now time for our federal policymakers to address these inequities and re-establish equitable access for all Canadians to these critical services.
