Quebec judge won't exempt church-supported palliative care home from MAID law
Summary
A Superior Court judge in Montreal denied the Roman Catholic archdiocese's request for an exemption to a Quebec law mandating all palliative care centres to offer MAiD. Justice Catherine Piche ruled that Quebecers' right to choose their medical care, including MAiD, outweighs any infringement on religious freedom. The archdiocese argued that the law violated their religious beliefs, particularly at St. Raphael's palliative care home, which operates in a former church owned by the archdiocese. Despite acknowledging the moral dilemma for some Catholic supporters, the judge ruled against granting an exemption.
Relevance
The denial of the exemption by the Montreal Roman Catholic archdiocese highlights the tension between religious freedom and the obligation to provide healthcare services that align with secular laws and regulations. While Catholic healthcare institutions have the right to uphold their religious values, they must also comply with legal requirements that ensure access to certain healthcare services for patients who choose them, regardless of religious affiliation.