Panel discussion on euthanasia takes place on Saturday

An interesting discussion on an important topic takes place Saturday in Walnut Grove.
The Catholic Women's League of St. Nicholas Church in Langley is hosting a panel discussion on euthanasia - a subject that will soon be before the federal House of Commons. That's because the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in February, in the Carter decision, that existing rules on assisted suicide are unconstitutional, and gave the government a year to amend the Criminal Code. Thus far, there has been no concrete action - mainly because of a lengthy federal election campaign and a new government taking office this month.
I will be moderating this discussion, and am looking forward to hearing from the panelists. A candidates' meeting in the South Surrey-White Rock riding that I moderated in October saw this issue discussed in some detail, and it is a complex subject.
Organizers are hoping for a far-reaching, thoughtful discussion.
The panelists will be speaking from an anti-euthanasia perspective, but their presentations will be bring out out some of the complications of allowing assisted dying.
The discussion will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, at St. Nicholas' parish centre, 20675 87 Ave. On the panel are Dr. Will Johnston, chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of BC, Natalie Sonnen, executive director of LifeCanada, and MP Mark Warawa, recently re-elected in the riding of Langley-Aldergrove.
The panel discussion will begin at 10:30 a.m. and goes until 12 p.m.
CWL president Adrienne Castellon, will give a brief welcome and then I will take over, introducing each panelist. After the individual presentations, the panel will take questions in written form from the floor. Refreshments will be served after the conference.
No matter what your perspective is on this very important issue, this meeting will certainly allow for an opportunity to learn more about euthanasia and assisted dying, and the implications.

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