We are pleased to announce the formation of Equal Access Comox Valley (EACV)
In the Comox Valley, the ability to exercise our legal right to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is severely restricted 鈥� we are not being provided with MAiD services that reflect the demographics of our community and we do not have the same level of access to MAiD services provided everywhere else on Vancouver Island. Unless we are vigilant, access to MAiD in publicly funded residential care institutions may become even more restricted.
Equal Access Comox Valley will continue the work started in May 2017 under the Equal Access Committee (EAC).
EAC have been very successful and have made significant inroads on this topic 鈥� increasing community awareness, gathering community support and obtaining a landmark commitment from Island Health that all six hospice beds will be co-located in a MAiD-friendly residential care facility.
The goals of our committee, currently supported by 2500 petitioners (this number is growing), are:
鈥� That residential care should be available from secular institutions as is the case everywhere else on Vancouver
Island. Valley Citizens who want access to Medical Assistance in Dying should be able to do so without encountering faith-based restrictions or transfers imposed by the institution providing the care.
鈥� To prevent the transfer of assets and/or operations of Glacier View Lodge to a faith-based amalgamation of St. Joseph鈥檚 and Providence Health Care.
鈥� To make sure that seventy net new residential care beds, allocated to our community by Island Health, are managed by a secular (non-denominational) institution.
Through our committee we will continue to raise community awareness and, with the strong community support expressed through the petition, will lobby at all levels of government and other institutions to achieve the goal of equal access to MAiD.
For more info visit equalaccesscomoxvalley.ca or email equalaccesscomoxvalley@gmail.com.
