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MAiD for mental illness: ‘Canada is pioneering resignation'
The article reports on the first-reading of Bill C-218, which aims to block the planned expansion of medical assistance in dying to people whose only underlying condition is mental illness. Liberal and Bloc Québécois MPs signalled they are likely to oppose the bill and instead wait for the findings of a joint parliamentary committee on MAiD set to convene in early 2026, while opponents of the expansion argued that safeguards are already failing and that Canada is not prepared to extend eligibility to mental illness alone.
By: Quinton Amundson
Dialysis one way, MAiD the other ? Critics sound alarms about Vancouver clinics offering life or death
Critics, including the head of a prominent anti-MAiD organization raised concerns about the increasing presence of clinics offering the procedure in Vancouver near those that offer health services, such as dialysis. Critics argue that the proximity of services that sustain life and those that end it raises ethical question about how MAiD is integrated into the health system. They say these developments highlight broader unease among pro-life advocates about how MAiD is being normalized in settings where patients face critical decisions about life and death.
By: Terry O’Neil
Pregnant mom uncovers late-term abortions
A pregnant woman describes how she went undercover to document what she says were late-term abortions being performed at a hospital, posing as a patient to obtain information about the procedures. The piece outlines her claims about what she was told by hospital staff and her decision to release recordings and details publicly in order to draw attention to how late-term abortions are handled within the health system.
By: Anna Farrow
Doctors alarmed by Health Canada's push for MAiD talks with patients
Some Canadian doctors are raising concerns about a Health Canada “Model Practice Standard” that would encourage physicians and nurse practitioners to raise the possibility of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) with patients they believe might be eligible and receptive. Critics argue that the guideline could amount to “compelled speech” and influence vulnerable patients toward considering euthanasia. A Health Canada spokesperson said the standard was developed with input from regulatory bodies and clinicians, but reiterated that the federal government cannot force provinces or health authorities to adopt it.
By: Terry O’Neill
Unheard. Unserved: Woman says abortion stigma at N.S. hospital almost took her life
A woman from the Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation reported that after undergoing a medical abortion, she experienced severe bleeding at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital (Antigonish, N.S) and felt dismissed by staff. She says an ER nurse reacted dismissively when told she was having serious complications, attributing the condition to “the pill doing its job.” The hospital operates under a mission assurance agreement with the Sisters of St. Martha, which preserves Catholic values in the facility despite public funding. A nurse practitioner noted that this religious affiliation may contribute to “abortion stigma” within the hospital culture, and called the agreement “incredibly outdated.”
By: Ella Macdonald, Rebecca Lau
New hospital resulting from St. Mary's–Grand River merger won't be Catholic
The upcoming merger between St. Mary's General Hospital and Grand River Hospital in Kitchener will result in a new, secular hospital. This marks a departure from St. Mary's long-standing Catholic affiliation. The new governance structure will feature a secular board of directors. Community reactions are mixed, with some expressing concerns over the loss of Catholic values, while others view the change as a positive step towards broader inclusivity. The new hospital is slated to open in 2026, aiming to provide expanded services and meet the growing healthcare demands of the region.
By: Record Staff
Delta Hospice looks to Alberta for “sanctuary hospice” site after being “stonewalled” by B.C. government
The Delta Hospice Society, which provides secular, palliative care, is planning to establish a MAiD-free “sanctuary hospice” in Alberta after facing resistance from the B.C. government. With funding secured and potential properties visited, the Society seeks Alberta's protection from being compelled to offer euthanasia, something they oppose based on their commitment to traditional palliative care principles. Their original facility in B.C. was seized in 2021 when they refused to allow MAiD, as the Society didn’t qualify for faith-based exemptions.
By: Terry O’Neil
MAiD unit, forced onto Catholic-run hospital campus in Canada, now operational
A government‑mandated MAiD unit has begun operating on the campus of St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, a Catholic‑run facility sponsored by Providence Health Care. Despite the hospital’s policy of not providing MAiD, British Columbia’s health authority established and operates the unit on adjacent hospital land connected by a corridor, while Providence continues to transfer patients seeking MAiD to that space rather than offering it internally.
By: Terry O’Neill
Euthanasia facility quietly opens at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver
A new Medical Assistance in Dying facility has opened adjacent to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, on land taken over by the provincial government. Connected via a corridor to the Catholic-run hospital, the clinic is staffed and operated by Vancouver Coastal Health rather than Providence Health Care, maintaining a strict separation. Providence clarifies that MAID is not performed within its Catholic facility, aligning with their religious directives.
By: Terry O’Neill
Unity Health Toronto welcomes Altaf Stationwala as new President and CEO
Unity Health Toronto, one of Canada's largest Catholic healthcare networks, has appointed Altaf Stationwala as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1, 2025. Stationwala brings extensive expertise in health system operations, integration, and digital transformation. Unity Health Toronto comprises St. Joseph’s Health Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, and Providence Healthcare, and is renowned for its comprehensive patient care, research, and education initiatives.
By: Unity Health Toronto
Catholics, Hippocrates, and reforming American medicine
George Weigel criticizes the current state of American medicine, highlighting how the willful participation of medical professionals in practices such as abortion and euthanasia contradicts the Hippocratic Oath's original intent to preserve life. Weigel calls for a reformation of American medicine to uphold life-affirming values, advocating for the involvement of well-catechized Catholic medical professionals and organizations like the Catholic Medical Association to lead these changes.
By: Geroge Weigel
Documents show Alberta’s Catholic healthcare body paying private staffing agencies nearly $110 an hour per nurse
Covenant Health in Alberta is significantly reliant on private staffing agencies to fill nursing roles, paying nearly $110 per hour for registered nurses, which is more than double the top wage for unionized nurses. This has led to the projection that Covenant will have spent over $20 million on private nursing contracts from April 2022 to April 2025. The high costs are partly due to shortages in recruiting and retaining skilled health professionals, with Covenant spending considerably more than budgeted across several healthcare facilities.
By: Jeremy Appel
Canada Launches ‘national consultation' on ‘advance requests' for euthanasia
The Canadian government is seeking public feedback on a proposal to allow "advance requests" for euthanasia, enabling individuals to arrange for medically assisted death before becoming incapacitated. This initiative follows Quebec's earlier adoption of similar policies for patients diagnosed with severe, incurable illnesses like Alzheimer’s. While the federal government describes this as a complex issue, it aims to ensure that the euthanasia program is responsive to Canadians' needs, supports autonomy, and protects vulnerable individuals. This proposal continues the expansion of the MAiD program, which has been contentious since its inception in 2016.
By: Daniel Payne
Premier Smith reveals plans to take some Alberta hospitals away from AHS
A previous secular hospital in Alberta, under Alberta Health Services (AHS), has been transferred to a private healthcare provider. The premier of Alberta said that the decision to transfer operations was made because AHS has 106 facilities, which makes it difficult for them to run everything. The hospital operates under Covenant Health, which has a reputation for never shutting down rural hospitals. Friends of Medicare, a healthcare advocacy group, finds the premier’s comments controversial because there is no evidence to support Covenant Health’s superior track record.
By: Lauryn Heintz
N.S regulatory group, some Christian doctors clash over medical assitance in dying
A group of Christian doctors object to the conscientious objection policy, where healthcare workers who refuse to provide medical service on religious grounds must refer the patient to a facility that administers those services. These doctors face potential disciplinary action for not following the referral protocol in conscientious objection. Many physicians object to referring patients to MAiD services because they believe euthanasia does not reflect what is in “the best interest of the patient”.
By: Vernon Ramesar
St Vincent could be breaking up with health insurer nib. Here's what's going on
The discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites has led to questions about why Catholic institutions continue to be publicly funded in Canada. Catholic schools and hospitals receive funding because Canada’s constitution protects them. The article explains the tension between provincial healthcare policy and Catholic hospitals’ obligation to follow the Health Ethics Guide from the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada. In addition to the constitution, it would be hard to defund Catholic hospitals because of legal and ethical implications under Canada’s Universal Medical Act.
By: Penny Timms
Family sues over hospital's religious exemption for euthanasia
A patient who requested MAID in a catholic hospital was transferred to another location because the Catholic hospital refused to provide MAiD to the patient. The patient's family is suing British Columbia for violating their daughter’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The organization Dying with Dignity was named in the lawsuit, and they released a survey reporting that most British Columbians are in favour of MAiD. Data also showed that the majority support religious healthcare institutions' refusal to administer MAiD.
By: The B.C. Catholic
Father of Calgary woman starving herself abandons court fight against her MAiD approval
"A woman received approval for MAiD, however her family is fighting this decision because they don’t think she should qualify for MAiD. A judge ordered that her access to MAiD be placed on hold until, the appeal decision is made. During the interim period, she began to starve herself, which led her case to be expedited to June 24th. However, the family has currently dropped the appeal for their daughter’s MAiD approval.”
By: CBC
Local hospitals raising flags for pride month
In light of their upcoming merger, St Mary’s and Grand River hospital are raising pride flags for the pride month. The CEO of Grand River says the purpose of raising the pride flag is to promote inclusivity and demonstrate the shared values between the hospitals. Particularly, they want to express that the LGBTQ+ community is welcomed into these hospital spaces. These hospitals will also participate in pride events in Victoria park.
By: City News
Meet Marienette Bergantinos, concierge, Evanston Summit
Marienette Bergantinos, a concierge at Evanston Summit, a Covenant Living site in Calgary, values every interaction with residents and their families. She sees it as an opportunity to strengthen bonds. She dedicates time daily to greet and speak with residents to prioritize these interactions. Her commitment to enhancing operations and increasing efficiency has earned her a nomination for Covenant's 2024 Mission Award for Stewardship. Marienette's journey with Covenant began in 2022, driven by a passion for helping others. She highlights the supportive organizational culture at Covenant, emphasizing the importance of compassionate care and community building.
By: Peter Rybar