Ministry of Care and Companionship

On Medical Assistance in Dying and Hope in Christ: A toolkit to share our message

In June 2026, euthanasia, commonly known as MAiD, became legal in Canada. This changed the medical and healthcare landscape for all Canadians. For Canadian Catholics specifically, this raises moral questions that lead to difficult conversations or to their avoidance.

To bring greater awareness, understanding, and faithful action regarding MAiD, the Archdiocese created a toolkit titled "On Medical Assistance in Dying and Hope in Christ: A toolkit to share our message". The toolkit equips people to:

Understand the current context of MAiD in Canada and Nova Scotia
Talk about MAiD with family, friends, and parishioners
Understand our Catholic teaching and stance against MAiD
Access further resources

The toolkit is aimed at clergy, hospital chaplains, and those in pastoral care; however, it is available to all. The toolkit is meant to be used as a DIGITAL RESOURCE on your computer, tablet, or phone, and can be accessed by clicking the toolkit image to the left.

Many of the links within the toolkit connect to the resource directly, apart from the links below:

Dying with Christ, Living with Hope

A Blessing NOT a Burden: Persons with Disabilities and Euthanasia

A presentation by Deacon Larry Worthen at two locations: St. Thomas Aquinas Hall, 6350 Cornwall St., Halifax on Monday, February 24, at 700 pm and St. Clements Church, 16 Gaston Rd., Dartmouth on Monday, March 2 700 pm.

The federal government will be tabling legislation in February in parliament to expand access to euthanasia for people with disabilities including mental health concerns Disability organizations are very concerned that disabled people will choose euthanasia because of lack of adequate health and social services supports We should be offering the disabled love and support, not euthanasia.

Deacon Larry Worthen has worked with the homeless, people with mental health concerns, the physically disabled, the elderly, and people at end of life. He is currently Executive Director of the Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada.