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

No Options, No Choice

Many people are concerned with the ever expanding medical assistance in dying (MAiD) criteria and the numerous recent news reports about people who have chosen MAiD because alternatives were not available. Vulnerable people are choosing MAiD because of poverty, lack of proper housing, unavailability of palliative care, and the insufficiency of programs and supports for persons with disabilities and chronic conditions. This time next year, when legislation is expected to take effect, we will undoubtedly see people with mental health concerns choosing MAiD because of lack of proper mental health services and supports.

The No Options No Choice campaign helps parishioners understand what is happening and gives them a quick and convenient way to email their concerns to their provincial elected representatives. More information can be found on their website:

English: NoOptionsNoChoice.com
French: AucuneOptionAucunChoix.com

The website provides video interviews with Tracy, Claire, Sam, and Julie, four real people who have experienced vulnerability in the health care system and understand how easy it would be to choose MAiD. There are also videos of physicians providing their medical perspectives on the problem.