Health Care

Responses to Ethical Issues

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops encourages and where possible works with provincial and federal governments as well as healthcare providers and organizations to help bring about comprehensive living conditions which foster the health and wellbeing of all citizens, to support the delivery of universal healthcare in Canada, and to bring communities closer together in order that patients may be assured of care and accompaniment throughout their illness with the involvement of all members of society. As part of the Church’s divine mission to preach the Gospel and to defend truth, the Bishops of Canada have at times raised concern and voiced opposition regarding healthcare practices and legislation which they have deemed contrary to God’s loving plan for creation.

Message on Permitting Persons Living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide (2023)

Open Letter to Government on Permitting Persons Living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide (2023)

Joint Letter by Religious Leaders on Bill C-7 and the expansion of “MAID” (2020)

Joint letter to the Prime Minister on the ethical development of a vaccine against COVID-19 (2020)

Response to the tabling of Bill C-7, an Act to expand euthanasia (2020)

Letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Proposed Changes to Federal Legislation for Medical Assistance in Dying/MAiD (2020)

Statement on the Legalization of Cannabis/Marijuana for Recreational Use (2018)

Statement on Canada’s Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction (2017)

Statement by the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on the approval of Bill C-14 legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide (2016)

Submission to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying (2016)

Statement on Assisted Suicide issued by the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (2015)

The Position of the Catholic Church and the Stance of the Catholic Bishops of Canada on “the Giving of Assistance in Dying.” Submission to the Expert Panel on Options for a Legislative Response to Carter v. Canada (2015)