Catholic Hospital in Vancouver Hosts Controversial MAiD Facility

A Catholic hospital in Vancouver now houses a "medical assistance in dying" (MAiD) facility, sparking outrage as the practice directly contradicts Catholic teachings. The facility at St. Paul's Hospital, operated by Providence Health Care under the Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, was mandated by the British Columbia government following intense external pressure in November 2023. Despite no official announcements, emails from Vancouver Coastal Health revealed the clinic opened on January 6, 2024. Another MAiD facility is being built at the new St. Paul's Hospital, set to open in 2027. Two Catholic hospices also share space with these facilities, with patients now able to access MAiD merely by moving between connected buildings. Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition called the development "incredibly sad," while Dr. Will Johnston likened it to totalitarianism, criticizing the government's imposition of euthanasia. The case of Sam O'Neill, who was refused MAiD at St. Paul's in 2023 due to its Catholic affiliation, led to a 2024 lawsuit challenging religious exemptions, prompting the government to establish closer MAiD access points.

Published: 6/21/2025