News and Notes – August 24th, 2024
Free Speech
Journalists quick to criticize Poilievre’s comments on media funding
(THE HUB)
A significant percentage of journalist salaries in Canada depends on funding from the government, and it’s a sensitive issue for media companies. While there is value in maintaining traditional media forms, the “temporary measures” introduced to help traditional media find its way in a social media world have become relied on by many news companies wanting to stay afloat, which could impact their reporting as we approach a federal election that could seriously impact their viability.
Pre-born Human Rights
St. Catharines decides to repeal their graphic images bylaw
(ST. CATHARINES STANDARD)
Following ARPA’s legal challenge, the city of St. Catharines has chosen to repeal their proposed graphic images bylaw. The bylaw would have required even flyers with ultrasound images to come with a graphic content warning. As ARPA’s legal counsel John Sikkema explains in this article, “the real aim of the bylaw was to suppress opposition to abortion.”
Abortion pill use increasing, but not fast enough for some
(ST. ALBERT GAZETTE)
Alberta’s health critic suggests more women should be using medication to end the lives of their pre-born children, as it’s cheaper than surgical abortion. Statistics continue to be incomplete, but it is clear that rates of medication abortion continue to rise, with the marketing aimed especially at rural women. This focus on women who have the least access to follow up care if they need it shows that this really is more about money and convenience than about true care for women.
Gender and Sexuality
Can minors give informed consent?
(LET KIDS BE)
Minors have restrictions in many areas of their lives due to their age and developmental stage. Can they be expected to give true informed consent for a medical gender transition? Knowing the irreversible effects and potential harmful side effects of puberty blockers and gender surgeries, shouldn’t we be much more cautious with young people?
Euthanasia
Euthanasia devalues the lives of those living with disabilities
(OTTAWA CITIZEN)
Allowing euthanasia for those with disabilities says their lives are less worth living than an able-bodied person’s. ARPA’s Daniel Zekveld ties this to the Paralympics and how those athletes could wrongly receive completely different medical care than athletes competing in the regular Olympics.
New report on skyrocketing number of euthanasia deaths in Canada
(NATIONAL POST)
In 2022, Health Canada predicted that by 2033, MAiD deaths would stabilize at 4% of total deaths in Canada. In 2023, we learned that we had already surpassed that 4% mark and there is no sign yet that rates are levelling off. Euthanasia is more and more seen as a solution to human suffering.
Care Not Kill campaign expands its focus
(ARPA CANADA)
With the expansion of euthanasia to those with mental illness delayed, ARPA Canada is now looking to turn back the expansion of euthanasia to those with disabilities and chronic illness. Offering euthanasia to people with disabilities suggests their lives are less worth living than those of able-bodied Canadians. This creates a discriminatory health care system that puts vulnerable Canadians at risk.
