ELORA – Centre Wellington council voted against writing a letter to the Ministry of Health in support of a hospice in Centre Wellington.
Dr. Alan Simpson told council on July 18 that Wellington County has donated land at Wellington Place in Aboyne for a hospice and he and Dr. Sarah Gower have taken the lead on getting a facility established in the county to serve patients north of Guelph.
Hospice Wellington already exists and while it serves Guelph and Wellington County, its 10-bed facility is located in Guelph and that’s far for many folks in northern Wellington County.
As well, there is no formal application process for hospices, as there is for hospitals, for example.
As such, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott told organizers he will try to advance the project by presenting material to the Minister of Health.
“It has to be a political process and help from Ted and the land from the county really advances the project,” Simpson said.
He added the Rotary Club has also committed to fundraising for the project and other letters of support are coming.
At the meeting Simpson hoped Centre Wellington council would also write a letter of support.
Councillor Stephen Kitras wanted to know why this group hadn’t partnered with Hospice Wellington.
Simpson said the main stumbling block was around policy, as Hospice Wellington does not allow medical assistance in dying (MAID) and the Centre Wellington group will.
Kitras bristled at this.
He shared the death experiences of many of his relatives and called MAID “killing under the guise of medical treatment.”
“There are reasons not to support euthanasia,” he continued. “As a religious person I’m kind of horrified to support this.”
“This is about choice,” countered councillor Neil Dunsmore. “It’s up to the patient and each has an individual belief. This hospice is willing to give choice in consultation with family and their doctor.”
Councillor Kirk McElwain said he wanted more time to consult with constituents.
“I basically support the motion but have not had time to look into it. And it’s too important to be made with only a few minutes’ discussion,” he said.
Councillor Bob Foster made a motion to defer the decision for more information, but that was defeated.
In the end, the motion to write a letter of support was also defeated, with McElwain and Kitras opposed, Foster and councillor Steven VanLeeuwen abstaining (which counts as a no) and Mayor Kelly Linton, Dunsmore and councillor Ian MacRae in support.
