Charter challenge over religious exemption to assisted dying law goes to court in B.C.

A constitutional challenge to a B.C. policy that allows religiously affiliated health providers to opt out of offering medical assistance in dying is proceeding to court; plaintiffs include the parents of a patient who was transferred to receive MAID in April 2023.

A legal challenge to a policy permitting religious health providers to decline onsite medical assistance in dying is proceeding to court in British Columbia. The policy allows organizations to opt out if patients are transferred to another facility for the service. Providence, a Catholic organization, operates 18 health and long-term care facilities in Vancouver and is named in the broader discussion of the exemption. Plaintiffs include the parents of a 34-year-old patient who was transferred in April 2023 to receive MAID and who allege the transfer caused harm. Key facts: - The case challenges a provincial allowance for religiously affiliated providers to opt out of providing medical assistance in dying if patients are transferred elsewhere. - Providence operates 18 Vancouver-area health and long-term care facilities and is part of the context for the challenge. - The plaintiffs include the parents of a patient transferred in April 2023; they allege their daughter experienced severe pain during the transfer and that loved ones could not say goodbye. - The matter is being brought to court in British Columbia; the timing of hearings or rulings has not been reported. Summary: The court case centers on whether the provincial policy permitting religious exemptions for assisted dying services creates barriers for patients and families, and it has moved into the court process in British Columbia. The plaintiffs' statements about the April 2023 transfer are part of the filings. Undetermined at this time.