From the steps of the legislative assembly, a 91原创 woman spoke out against what she called society鈥檚 efforts to rush 鈥渧ulnerable鈥� people鈥檚 deaths.
鈥� View her speech
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) legislation was passed by the federal parliament in June 2016, making assisted suicides legal in Canada.
But this doesn鈥檛 sit well with Tamara Jansen, co-founder of Darvonda Nurseries. And, in particular, she resents that it is being implemented in hospice facilities across B.C. and in her own community of 91原创.
She took her message to Victoria last week, and despite a torrential downpour during her speech, she delivered her passionate views on the issue to a crowd estimated at about 3,000 who gathered and marched to the legislature as part of 2018 March for Life.
鈥淚t has only been two years since euthanasia became legal in Canada,鈥� said the 91原创 representative of Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) Canada.
鈥淕overnment assured us this, it would be rare and that rigid legal safeguards would be implemented. But, since 2016, we have seen abuse after abuse with no real consequence,鈥� Jansen shouted out to a sea of umbrella-covered ralliers.
She blamed the NDP government for taking a lead in implementing MAiD in all hospices in the province, including the Fraser Health region, claiming it is 鈥渃ompletely contrary鈥� to the world standard of palliative care.
鈥淲e all march here today with a higher purpose. We march for our elderly who cannot defend themselves from the pressure to end things quickly,鈥� she said, joined at the rally by 91原创 East MLA Rich Coleman, as well as Chilliwack-Kent MLA Laurie Throness.
鈥淲e march for the disabled who are at the mercy of the state when in hospital care. We march for the terminally ill who want to live their last days in safety and security, without the stress and strain to get life over and done with. We march for the unborn who have the same right to live as you and I.鈥�
In her speech, she encouraged like-minded people to show 鈥渃ourage and conviction,鈥� by adding their voices to those speaking out against life-ending measures for the elderly and frail and yet unborn.
She asked supporters to write letters to the editor, to talk to their local politicians, to get involved with campaigns, and to even consider running for political office themselves.
鈥淟et your voice be heard often, and everywhere, until they can鈥檛 help but hear our message of love,鈥� she insisted.
