Canada offered assisted suicide to a Paralympian veteran who wanted a wheelchair lift installed

Christine Gauthier, a 52-year old retired corporal who competed in the 2016 Paralympics at Rio de Janeiro, testified to the House of Commons Veterans Affairs committee last week about an incident that occurred when she sought services through the Veterans Affairs Canada.

Gauthier initially submitted a request to have a wheelchair lift installed in her home and was surprised to receive a letter from a VA case officer which instead offered to provide her with a medically-assisted suicide kit.

“I have a letter saying that if you’re so desperate, madam, we can offer you MAID, medical assistance in dying,” Gauthier said in the hearing. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly condemned the incident after Gauthier personally wrote him a letter about the incident. Trudeau stated that protocols are being reviewed and changed to ensure that the VA is providing proper support to those who stepped up to serve their country.

For more information see Anders Hagstrom “Canada offered assisted suicide to a Paralympian veteran who wanted a wheelchair lift installed: report”, Fox News, December 4, 2022

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/trusts_estates_prof/2022/12/canada-offered-assisted-suicide-to-a-paralympian-veteran-who-wanted-a-wheelchair-lift-installed-repo.html