How Euthanasia Became an Epidemic in Canada | Amanda Achtman

🔵 Try Epoch Times now: https://theepochtim.es/ATLUSA
Canada Edition: https://theepochtim.es/ATLCA

This is the full version of Jan Jekielek’s interview with Amanda Achtman. The interview was released on Epoch TV on September 2nd, 2025.

In less than a decade, euthanasia has become tied for the fifth leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for one in every 20 deaths since it was first legalized in 2016. Over 60,000 Canadians have died via euthanasia.

“This marks a massive cultural shift in how we live and die in Canada,” says Amanda Achtman, a leading critic of the practice and the founder of the Dying to Meet You Project.

Patients no longer need to be terminally ill to request euthanasia, and there are ongoing debates about whether minors or people with mental illnesses should be able to apply. Disability advocate groups have been some of the leading critics of the program, arguing it sends a disturbing message: that the lives of those who are disabled are worth less.

What are the ethical implications of Canada’s euthanasia program? How is it changing family dynamics, societal norms, the meaning of a life well lived, and the fundamental role of a physician?

Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

CHAPTER TITLES
0:00:00 Introduction and Overview of Euthanasia in Canada
0:01:42 The Meaning Crisis and Suffering at End of Life
0:03:00 Euthanasia as Suicide: Ethical and Psychiatric Dilemmas
0:05:04 Amanda Achtman’s Personal Motivation and Family Experience
0:07:36 The Debate Over Consent and Euthanasia for Minors
0:10:56 Criteria and Safeguards for Medical Aid in Dying
0:12:48 Legislative Changes and Expansion to Disabilities
0:14:23 Euthanasia and Mental Health: Policy and Personal Stories
0:18:10 The Value of Suffering and Human Solidarity
0:21:03 Is Euthanasia Ever Appropriate?
0:23:57 Generational Impact and Family Stories
0:27:00 Christopher Lyon’s Story: Family Impact of Euthanasia
0:33:29 The Power of Personal Stories and Societal Effects
0:37:00 Comparing Canada and the US: Systemic Differences
0:41:50 Cultural Contagion and Indigenous Perspectives
0:44:17 House Calls, Healthcare Access, and Systemic Issues
0:46:33 The Hippocratic Oath and Medical Ethics
0:48:53 Unintended Consequences and Predatory Practices
0:52:07 Social and Financial Coercion in Euthanasia Decisions
0:53:42 Providers, Conscience Rights, and Institutional Pressures
0:56:10 The Broader Societal and Existential Questions
0:58:36 International Warnings and Cultural Shifts