Christian physicians in Nova Scotia have taken up the fight against the province’s College of Physicians and Surgeons over a policy that would force physicians to refer patients for euthanasia, abortion and transgender services. 

Pro-life organizations are celebrating the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta’s (CPSA) decision not to impose an “effective referral” mandate that would have forced health practitioners to violate conscience rights to facilitate objectionable procedures like assisted suicide or abortion.

Bill C-230 — which aimed to enhance the rights of medical personnel who refuse to participate in medically assisted death for reasons of conscience — has died in the House of Commons, but its supporters vow to keep up the fight for the rights of physicians and patients.

Bill C-230, the private members’ bill aimed at safeguarding medical professionals’ conscience rights, underwent its second hour of oral debate on Sept. 29, six months after parliamentarians first exchanged views over the proposed legislation.

The one thing all should hold dear is their freedom of conscience. It may be our most effective tool in combatting oppression and ensuring religious freedom. It’s there for everyone to use but to employ it sometimes takes courage. But when put to work it can feel liberating.

Canada has been riding the fast track on assisted suicide for almost five years, yet it still hasn’t put in place effective protection for health care providers who do not want to play any part in ending a life this way. It’s called conscience rights and it is one of the freedoms specifically mentioned in Canada’s Charter.

OTTAWA -- Ontario’s Catholic bishops are calling on the faithful to demand legislation to protect health-care workers from having to participate in procedures that go against their faith and conscience.

EDMONTON -- A United Conservative Party MLA has lost his bid to strengthen the rights of health-care providers in Alberta to refuse procedures contrary to their moral beliefs.

As Alberta debates a private member’s bill to protect conscience rights for doctors and other health care providers, Ontario’s government is saying little about a lack of protection for doctors forced to provide referrals for assisted suicide, abortion and other procedures.

Having lost twice in court, the battle for conscience rights for health care workers in Ontario is now a political battle.

There is a similar scene in many movies. It is a cliché but one most of us enjoy: the skinny kid, representing good, enters the ring with the brutish bully, representing evil. Think The Karate Kid and the like.

The executive director of Canadian Physicians for Life spoke for many when she grieved a ruling by Ontario’s highest court that suggested religious rights, in the grand scheme of things, aren’t really a big deal.

The odds weigh heavily against Bill C-418, Conservative MP David Anderson’s private member’s bill to enshrine conscience rights for health-care providers on assisted suicide, as the first hour of debate is set for Parliament May 29.

An Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that upheld limits on health care workers’ conscience rights shows the need for governments legislation to protect those who can’t be part of a procedure that runs up against their moral or religious beliefs, said the executive director of Canadian Physicians for Life.

New evidence heard in court has given Ontario’s medical conscientious objectors renewed hope.