MAiD and the Death of the Hippocratic Oath

MAiD and the Death of the Hippocratic Oath

Doctors are no longer required to “do no harm.”

In just ten years, Justin Trudeau’s vision has become reality: cannabis is legal, and euthanasia is now legally reducing Canada’s population. Although some doctors attempted to opt out of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) for religious or moral reasons, those efforts largely failed. Many physicians now instruct nurses to administer MAiD injections.

For thousands of years, doctors took the Hippocratic Oath to protect their patients. Today, that oath has been abandoned. MAiD has eroded informed consent and granted doctors broad authority over life-and-death decisions regarding their patients’ health.

Hospitals—including privately owned hospice centers—are now required to offer MAiD to patients perceived to be experiencing mental health distress. Social workers roam hospital hallways seeking MAiD candidates, even among late-stage dementia patients who have no family members present to advocate for them.

The government has expanded MAiD discussions to include organ donation prior to death.

When I worked as a Suicide First Aid Trainer, data from 2006 showed approximately 3,600 reported suicides per year in Canada—about 10 to 11 per day. In 2016, when MAiD became legal, there were 1,018 MAiD deaths. By 2024, that number rose to 16,500. These deaths are not classified as suicides, and many recipients were not terminally ill. Canada now projects savings of $1.27 trillion over the next 20 years through MAiD and organ donation. This is shocking—and nothing to be proud of.

Military veteran Kelsi Sheren served in Afghanistan and returned home with PTSD. She was later offered MAiD as a way to end her mental suffering. Watch Kelsi on YouTube in LEGAL EUTHANASIA: The System Is Profiting from MAiD, featuring Julian Michaels https://youtu.be/lWmFbXn_t9o?si=vPZ32lk4FkeNHlrB. Please fast forward to 33:30 on the interview to go straight to the MAiD talk. In 2027, Canada will once again consider expanding MAiD eligibility to include individuals with mental health challenges.

While Canadians are distracted by political drama, the culling of ostriches, economic turmoil, and culture wars, people are dying unnecessarily through MAiD—and no political party is willing to address this issue.

What happened to the medical professionals who entered the field to do no harm and to save lives? What happed to MAiD being only for those with terminal illnesses that are competent? What happened to loving our neighbors? We now sever relationships over trivial disagreements—pizza toppings, political affiliations, medical choices. I refuse to write people off simply because we disagree.

I have completed my book, Eyes Above the Water, which contains real, raw conversations about suicide. It is dedicated to frontline workers, grieving families, and the courageous individuals who shared their stories. Together, we are making a difference.

You can pre-order Eyes Above the Water on my bookstore page. I will be touring soon for author readings and signings in the USA.

Warmly your friend,

Bill Vassilopoulos