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

Where Does Our Dignity Come From?

The idea of “dying with dignity” seems to suggest that a person can lose their dignity at a certain point of their illness or disability. In April 2024, the Church wrote the following: “each human being, regardless of their vulnerabilities, receives his or her dignity from the sole fact of being willed and loved by God.” (Infinite Dignity) The Church was critical of cultures which “marginalize or even oppress individuals with disabilities, treating them as ‘rejects’”. Pope Francis has repeatedly spoken out against a “throwaway culture” that does not provide support and love to people who are experiencing vulnerabilities, but instead offers death through euthanasia.

For more information and reflections on MAiD and its impact CLICK HERE