Should you be able to choose when you want to die? Simons under fire for Commercial that promotes Medical Assisted Suicide

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

It is easy to understand why euthanasia has become such a controversial topic, and why there are a multitude of organizations and people speaking for and against what could be seen as a persons right to choose.

There are people who support patient autonomy and choice, particularly in the case of terminal illness. To these groups and their supporters, most of whom are empathetic as a result of agonizing personal experience, death with dignity is a human rights issue and those who are suffering are entitled to a peaceful death.

Then there is the side who are concerned that decisions will be made by others on behalf of those too ill to speak for themselves. These groups believe the job of a physician is to find ways to eliminate patients’ suffering, not the patients themselves. They do not believe a physician is qualified to make the decision to assist in ending a life.

On October 24^th, 2022 Simons released a three-minute commercial called All Is Beauty which glorifies medical aid in dying (MAiD) – an act where doctors aid patients in committing suicide.

James Schadenberg and the entire CitizenGO Team have spoken out against Simons, as they feel that the video sends a message, especially to those with severe illnesses, that dying in a hospital is “not natural” and that people should instead opt for euthanasia or assisted suicide, which they imply is “the most beautiful exit”.

The commercial follows a woman named Jennyfer shortly before she died from euthanasia (MAiD) last month.

It begins with a hospital room where she narrates that “Dying in a hospital is not what’s natural, it’s not what’s soft.” The words “The Most Beautiful Exit” appears on the screen, then it shows her in nature, surrounded by community as she narrates that “It can take dying to figure out what living is all about,” and that “Even now, as I seek help to end my life, with all the pain, and in these final moments, there’s still so much beauty.”

The team at CitizenGo feels resolute that by focusing on someone who is suicidal and actively planning to have a doctor end her life, Simons is using their brand to promote the idea that suicide – ending your life through unnatural means – is a beautiful thing.

Simons is a huge Canadian company that’s been around for over 150 years, and the team at CitizenGo are disgusted that they’re trying to use their influence to change public perception on euthanasia.

“Their plan is working so far,” states James in a recent press release. “Their propagandistic pro-euthanasia video All is Beauty already has over 1 million views!”

Meanwhile, euthanasia deaths in Canada are skyrocketing. According to Health Canada, the amount of Canadians who died from MAiD in 2021 went up 33% from the previous year, which represented 3.3% of all deaths in Canada.

This is all while safeguards around MAiD have increasingly been thrown out by government legislation. It appears that soon Canada will be euthanizing Canadians who solely have mental illnesses, and government committees are even discussing euthanizing minors.

“Instead of putting our resources towards helping those with severe mental and physical illnesses to live with dignity, Canada is often offering these people death instead,” exclaims James, “And with this commercial, it seems that Simons is on board with this philosophy.”

What do you think readers: is Simons in the wrong for putting out this type of video? Should you be able to choose when you want to die?