Canada debates infant euthanasia: critics warn of legalized infanticide

Newborn child. Photo: care.org.uk

On August 28, 2025, the Quebec College of Physicians (CMQ) reaffirmed its position to the effect that newborns with severe congenital anomalies and incurable diseases should be eligible for euthanasia, Live Action News reports.

The CMQ stated that medical aid in dying may be considered an “appropriate treatment” for infants suffering from extreme pain that cannot be relieved and who have severe malformations or serious polysymptomatic syndromes that destroy any prospect of survival. A representative of the organization, Louis Roy, noted that with parental consent and a physician’s conclusion, euthanasia ought to be available as an option.

The proposal has unleashed a storm of outrage. Human rights advocates and Christian organizations have condemned the initiative, warning that it effectively amounts to the legalization of infanticide and endangers the most vulnerable members of society. Right To Life UK declared: “Forced abortions and infant euthanasia are a form of eugenics. Children with disabilities deserve care, not death.”

Critics emphasize that Canada already has one of the most permissive euthanasia regimes in the world. Since its introduction in 2016, eligibility has been steadily expanded. By 2027, euthanasia will even be available for people suffering solely from mental illness.

Observers also warn that the Quebec proposal echoes the infamous “Groningen Protocol” in the Netherlands, which permits euthanasia for infants under one year old if both parents consent and a physician deems it justified.

Government statistics show the scale of the practice: in 2023 alone, 15,343 Canadians ended their lives through euthanasia or assisted suicide – representing 4.7% of all deaths in the country.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Canada also plans to prohibit public prayer.

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