In light of a tsunami of criticism and feedback from Albertans and healthcare workers, the Alberta college of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSA) have walked back their controversial new policy that would have forced healthcare professionals to participate in abortions and assisted suicides.
The CPSA backtracked on its proposed addition to the Standards of Practice on Friday.
Many pro-life doctors groups and associations had blasted the amendments, calling for the removal of the words “effective referral,” which meant they would be forced to go against their beliefs and refer those seeking euthanasia or abortion to someone who would be willing to do such.
The CPSA have since backed off the amendment, stating on their website, “Based on initial feedback received, the term ‘effective referral’ will be removed from the Conscientious Objection standard.”
Pro-life organizations blasted the proposal
Prior to the CPSA’s backtrack, a number of groups had publicly denounced the proposed changes and encouraged Albertans to voice their disapproval.
The Alberta Committee for Conscience Protection, the Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada, the Canadian Physicians for Life, the Campaign Life Coalition (CLC), alongside a significant number of nurses, doctors, and Albertans called for the removal of the addition.
CLC gave a statement earlier this month, claiming that the proposal would essentially “…force pro-life doctors, who want nothing to do with killing preborn babies by abortion or killing the sick, the elderly, and soon those with mental illness by assisted suicide, to participate in these evils by actively referring the patient who requested the service to someone else who will provide it.”
Massive win for medical freedom
The CLC’s President Jeff Gunnarson welcomed the decision on Friday, saying the CPSA wised up after listening to negative feedback. He further urged Premier Danielle Smith to pass legislation that would protect doctors’ conscience rights — as Manitoba has done.
“Now, more than ever before, it’s time for Alberta healthcare professionals to unite and demand that their Charter-guaranteed right to ‘freedom of conscience’ be respected and protected in provincial law,” he added.
