CCCB Submission to Health Canada on Palliative Care

From Msgr. Frank Leo, Jr., General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:
 

• A introductory letter by the CCCB President
• A list of resources used to develop the submission
• The submission itself

 
"As previously noted, the CCCB Executive Committee agreed to take part in Health Canada’s consultation on palliative care, which pertained especially to entities involved in the delivery and administration of healthcare. While responding to 10 specific questions asked by the Health Canada in the said consultation, the Conference’s submission likewise emphasized the following two points: (1) the importance of the spiritual care dimension, and (2) that palliative care is not to include euthanasia or assisted suicide. This latter aspect is particularly important as Health Canada, in its consultation, is asking for feedback on what the definition of “palliative care” should be. Furthermore, importance was underscored in the CCCB submission regarding the human and personal dimensions in the care to be given, including the spiritual / religious needs of families and communities.
 
"The CCCB submission was developed in collaboration with the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada, the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, the Covenant Health of Edmonton, along with input from Archbishop Richard Smith and Bishop Noël Simard (as the episcopal members of a CCCB taskforce for developing pastoral resources on palliative care), as well as with  the CCCB Executive Committee and General Secretariat staff."
 
Please feel free to share and distribute the attached submission available in English and French, and on the CCCB website.