By Protection of Conscience Project, [url=http://www.consciencelaws.org]http://www.consciencelaws.org[/url]
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario has been instructed by the province’s Human Rights Commission that physicians are to be denied freedom of conscience and religion. The “guidance” is contained in an OHRC submission that appears to have been posted today on the Commission’s website.
The helpful and advisory tone introducing the document is misleading.
“This is really an iron fist in a velvet glove,” said Sean Murphy, Administrator of the Protection of Conscience Project. “These so-called ‘recommendations’ are backed up with the threat of prosecution before Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal.”
“It is the Commission’s position,” states the submission, “that doctors, as providers of services that are not religious in nature, must essentially “check their personal views at the door” in providing medical care.”
Should the College fail to adopt the position demanded by the OHRC, the Commission can formulate policies that impose its ethical views on the medical profession, encouraging activists or others to file complaints with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. The Commission can then intervene in the proceedings and force the Tribunal to consider its policies in applying the Code.
“Even at this point, the Commission’s statements suggest that it is open season on physicians,” said Murphy. “Activists will be encouraged to apply to the Tribunal to prosecute physicians who refuse to facilitate abortion or other morally controversial medical procedures, with the assurance that the Tribunal will decide in their favour.”
The structure and operation of the Commission and Tribunal are described in the Project publication, The New Inquisitors.
For further information, call Sean Murphy at 604-485-9765or e-mail protection@consciencelaws.org.
