Canadian Paralympian offered euthanasia when asked to climb stairs

One Paralympian said he was offered a euthanasia device after he asked a Canadian parliamentarian to install a wheelchair lift in his home.

Veteran Army Corporal Christine Gautier testified before the Canadian House Veterans Affairs Committee last week that she was shocked when a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) employee offered assisted suicide as a solution to her suffering. .

Gauthier, who represented Canada at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics, lost the use of both legs after sustaining an injury during military training in 1989. She is a five-time Paracanoe World Champion and she also competed in her game at the Invictus this year.

According to CBC.ca, Gautier told MP that he had been fighting for wheelchair accommodation for five years.

According to the outlet, Gautier said, “Madam, if you are so hopeless, we have a letter saying that we can provide you with MAID, or death medical assistance.” The outlet reported that he agreed to provide a copy of the

“I thought, ‘I can’t believe you’re giving me an injection to help me die,'” News.

“I was really shocked to hear such comments.”

“Absolutely Unacceptable” Trials

“I wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau, [Veterans Affairs] They gave me MAID, they gave me the equipment,” said Gauthier.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that Mr Gautier’s ordeal was “absolutely unacceptable”.

“We are following up on the investigation and are making changes to our protocol to see what should be clear to all of us. It’s being there to support those who have stepped up to serve. It’s not where Canadian veterans are supposed to be, to provide their country with medical assistance in dying,” he added.

In testimony to the same committee last week, Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence Macaulay revealed that at least four other Canadian military veterans were offered MAID options by the now-suspended Veterans Services Agent. Did. The case was referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Since 2016, dying medical assistance for terminally ill patients has been legal in Canada.

In 2022, the law will be extended to people living with debilitating disabilities and pain, even if their lives are not in imminent danger.

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