This article reports on evidence presented in the British Columbia Supreme Court during a legal dispute over how the province’s assisted-dying policy applies to faith-based hospitals. The court heard that the provincial government reached a “compromise” policy intended to balance access to medical assistance in dying with respect for religious objections by some hospitals, particularly Catholic facilities that do not provide MAID on site. Government witnesses described efforts to ensure patients approved for MAID can receive the procedure without forcing faith-based institutions to act against their beliefs. The testimony also highlighted the role that faith-based facilities, including St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, play in the broader health system and the complexity of maintaining both access and institutional identity.

By: Tara Carman

Catholic-affiliated hospitals, including St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, prohibit participation in MAID due to religious doctrine, requiring patients who are approved for the procedure to be transferred to non-religious facilities. Patient advocates and families argue that these transfers can cause additional suffering and distress, particularly for patients who are seriously ill or near death. The article highlights cases where patients were moved shortly before dying, prompting legal action by advocacy groups who claim the policy violates patients’ rights and undermines access to publicly funded health care services. Supporters of the policy argue that religious institutions should be permitted to operate in accordance with their beliefs while continuing to provide other essential medical services. The issue is now before the courts.

By: Caroline Barghout