“Enhancing the quality and access to palliative care is a fundamental matter of compassion, in keeping with our basic principles as Canadians.”

Jenny Burr
Spur Ottawa Correspondent

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) joined group of interfaith representatives and ministries calling for the government to improve palliative care. The group united in their support of palliative care as a viable, moral alternative to euthanasia and assisted suicide.

In a press release from June 14, the group issued “a joint call to Canada’s elected officials to support a robust, well-resourced, national palliative care strategy”. They also asked the government “to raise awareness of inadequacies in palliative care, particularly in the wake of the debate over physician-assisted suicide”.

The interfaith group includes the EFC, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), and the Canadian Council of Imams. Their key concern is that many Canadians do not have access to local, high-quality palliative care, or the financial means to get this care.

“We believe that each person’s life has inherent worth and dignity,” says Julia Beazley, “regardless of their age, their abilities, or their health. We believe that the appropriate way to respond to those who are suffering from terminal illness or who are near death is to offer comfort and peace. This is the kind of care and support that good-quality palliative care offers.”

“Our communities could have advocated individually, but our voice is stronger when we work in unison.”

Beazley is the Director of Public Policy for the EFC. She says the interfaith group wants all levels of government to work together on this issue. The group wants the health care system to reflect the psycho-social and spiritual needs of patients and their families in the dying process.

“[We want to see] essential hospice and palliative care services more available and accessible in all settings, including at home, and more support for family and caregivers, in the form of flexible financial and tax benefits.”

Palliative care tries to mitigate the symptoms and suffering of patients facing serious illness. It offers comfort, compassion, and support to patients and their families. Patients transition to hospice care when they are no longer curable. Hospice focuses entirely on improving their quality of life until they pass away.

“Jewish Canadians are concerned about palliative and hospice care because the imperative to care for the most vulnerable among us is a core value of our traditions and community,” says Richard Marceau, Director of Partnerships at CIJA. “Members of the Jewish community, whether religious or secular, overwhelmingly share a common concern for the well-being of those entering the final stages of life.”

“Members of the Jewish community, whether religious or secular, overwhelmingly share a common concern for the well-being of those entering the final stages of life.”

Marceau says this is an issue with broad support across the faith and political spectrums.

“Our [faith] communities could have advocated individually, but our voice is stronger when we work in unison. This is an issue that unites Canadians from a wide range of backgrounds. Enhancing the quality and access to palliative care is a fundamental matter of compassion, in keeping with our basic principles as Canadians.”

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association says less than 30 percent of dying Canadians have access to palliative or hospice care. In addition, it says patients are often on the hook for about 25 percent of their costs of care.

Noel Simard says care facilities constantly have to fundraise just to keep their doors open. While those suffering and dying often have many questions, less than a third currently receive grief or bereavement services.

“We feel it is important to accompany them and help them find meaning in what they are living and in the ultimate passage they will experience,” Simard says. “As one of the co-founders of a home for people dying of AIDS, which is now a wonderful centre for palliative care, I found that what people want most is to know the tenderness, the caring, and the compassion of God.”