Jocelyn Downie
@jgdownie.bsky.social
Professor Emeritus, Faculties of Law and Medicine, Dalhousie University. Working on assisted dying, sport integrity, photography, and woodturning.
A stunning articulation of what the UN rapporteur and domestic opponents of MAiD get wrong (again and again) about MAiD MI-SUMC from a person with lived experience (ie precisely who we should most be listening to). open.substack.com/pub/idontrem...
To The UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
I sent this to the CRPD regarding their statements about MAID MI-SUMC in Canada.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:42 AM
A stunning articulation of what the UN rapporteur and domestic opponents of MAiD get wrong (again and again) about MAiD MI-SUMC from a person with lived experience (ie precisely who we should most be listening to). open.substack.com/pub/idontrem...
Be a grapefruit lady youtube.com/shorts/O5yK7...
Fruit for thought. Never judge a book by its cover. #comedy #histoty #storytelling #standup
YouTube video by David Nihill
youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Be a grapefruit lady youtube.com/shorts/O5yK7...
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to examine some lesser-discussed findings in the 6th Annual Report on MAiD, starting with the false media claim that people choose MAiD because of isolation or loneliness. HC confirms what we found in our earlier BC work.
maidincanada.substack.com/p/isolation-...
maidincanada.substack.com/p/isolation-...
Isolation, Loneliness, and MAiD: What the New Health Canada Report Actually Shows
Check out reference #30 on page 29 of the Report. Thank you Health Canada🎉🥳
maidincanada.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to examine some lesser-discussed findings in the 6th Annual Report on MAiD, starting with the false media claim that people choose MAiD because of isolation or loneliness. HC confirms what we found in our earlier BC work.
maidincanada.substack.com/p/isolation-...
maidincanada.substack.com/p/isolation-...
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
Once again FactcheckAFP calling something @kelsisheren.bsky.social said about MAiD to be 100% false. Her claim: "In order to have MAiD you have to say yes to organ donation". Don't try to correct her though, she's "not at all uneducated in this realm". 🤦♀️🤦
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Once again FactcheckAFP calling something @kelsisheren.bsky.social said about MAiD to be 100% false. Her claim: "In order to have MAiD you have to say yes to organ donation". Don't try to correct her though, she's "not at all uneducated in this realm". 🤦♀️🤦
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
They died because they were women.
December 6, 1989.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. www.cbc.ca/montreal/fea...
December 6, 1989.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. www.cbc.ca/montreal/fea...
December 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
They died because they were women.
December 6, 1989.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. www.cbc.ca/montreal/fea...
December 6, 1989.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. www.cbc.ca/montreal/fea...
Working on special issue on the truth about MAiD in Canada. Struck by what a collaborative, compassionate, collegial, & constructive community we have committed to using rigourous research to pursue the goals of our system - respect autonomy, alleviate suffering, and protect vulnerable persons.
December 5, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Working on special issue on the truth about MAiD in Canada. Struck by what a collaborative, compassionate, collegial, & constructive community we have committed to using rigourous research to pursue the goals of our system - respect autonomy, alleviate suffering, and protect vulnerable persons.
Solid summary of 6th Annual Report on MAiD in Canada by CP www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Most assisted deaths in Canada come after cancer diagnosis, annual report finds
Most people who chose medical assistance in dying in 2024 had a cancer diagnosis and were over the age of 70, new data from Health Canada shows.
www.ctvnews.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Solid summary of 6th Annual Report on MAiD in Canada by CP www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...
Note to journalists and opinion writers writing about assisted dying in Canada - do yourself & your readers a favour & fact-check yourself by first reading the relevant pieces by @maidincanada.bsky.social Repeating misinformation is irresponsible when facts are available. maidincanada.substack.com
MAiD in Canada | Paul Magennis | Substack
MAiD in Canada delivers accurate, compassionate insights on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Led by nurses Paul and Kim, we address misinformation, share updates, and explore key issues to inform a...
maidincanada.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Note to journalists and opinion writers writing about assisted dying in Canada - do yourself & your readers a favour & fact-check yourself by first reading the relevant pieces by @maidincanada.bsky.social Repeating misinformation is irresponsible when facts are available. maidincanada.substack.com
Better late than never... the BC government removes morally and legally indefensible "deemed consent" provision of Mental Health Act. Shame on them though waiting until eleventh hour in Charter challenge to do the right thing.
"there is nothing compassionate about the assumption of incapacity." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: Dignity for the mentally ill cannot be deemed a nuisance
British Columbia, at last, is abandoning the draconian practice of deeming consent to treatment by some mentally ill patients
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Better late than never... the BC government removes morally and legally indefensible "deemed consent" provision of Mental Health Act. Shame on them though waiting until eleventh hour in Charter challenge to do the right thing.
Also worth reading for the accurate description of how the parliamentary committee process is dysfunctional. Serious reform needed if there’s to be any hope of fact-based policy-making in Ottawa.
Another great mythbusting piece by MAiD in Canada - see especially share.google/PRcfdLMAE6hx...
Misinformation at Parliament: What Happened on October 28th
Veterans and people with mental illness deserve better advocacy
share.google
November 30, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Also worth reading for the accurate description of how the parliamentary committee process is dysfunctional. Serious reform needed if there’s to be any hope of fact-based policy-making in Ottawa.
Another great mythbusting piece by MAiD in Canada - see especially share.google/PRcfdLMAE6hx...
Misinformation at Parliament: What Happened on October 28th
Veterans and people with mental illness deserve better advocacy
share.google
November 30, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Another great mythbusting piece by MAiD in Canada - see especially share.google/PRcfdLMAE6hx...
After the hit job they did on assisted dying in Canada, it’s not a surprise. Seems like facts don’t matter to them anymore.
maidincanada.substack.com/p/the-atlant...
maidincanada.substack.com/p/the-atlant...
November 30, 2025 at 1:27 AM
After the hit job they did on assisted dying in Canada, it’s not a surprise. Seems like facts don’t matter to them anymore.
maidincanada.substack.com/p/the-atlant...
maidincanada.substack.com/p/the-atlant...
Here's the actual slope for MAiD in Canada -- strong decline in rate of growth per year. Exactly what was predicted and predictable. Sixth Annual Report on MAiD in Canada is more evidence that dystopic anti-MAiD narratives are false.
November 29, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Here's the actual slope for MAiD in Canada -- strong decline in rate of growth per year. Exactly what was predicted and predictable. Sixth Annual Report on MAiD in Canada is more evidence that dystopic anti-MAiD narratives are false.
The sixth annual report on assisted dying in Canada has just been released: www.canada.ca/en/health-ca...
Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada - Canada.ca
The Fifth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in Canada provides a summary of MAID requests, assessments and provisions for the 2024 calendar year.
www.canada.ca
November 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The sixth annual report on assisted dying in Canada has just been released: www.canada.ca/en/health-ca...
And even if their substitute decision-maker is there to advocate for their prior capable refusal!
BC is one of the few jurisdictions (the only jurisdiction?) in Canada where if you're hospitalized against your will they can automatically treat you against your will. That's being challenged in court.
November 25, 2025 at 1:15 AM
And even if their substitute decision-maker is there to advocate for their prior capable refusal!
I'd give you "she comes prepared, asks intelligent and challenging questions, and seems genuinely committed to understanding what's really going on and getting the facts right."
"I could have talked for hours!"
"I've never been so happy to spill all my secrets!"
"She totally comes across as someone capable of interacting with other human beings!"
"I've never been so happy to spill all my secrets!"
"She totally comes across as someone capable of interacting with other human beings!"
November 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I'd give you "she comes prepared, asks intelligent and challenging questions, and seems genuinely committed to understanding what's really going on and getting the facts right."
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
The Canadian Press finally called out Kelsi Sheren’s claim that Canada has a plan to euthanize 15 Million Canadians.
Health Canada says it’s "false" and "disinformation" — which effectively means they believe she’s spreading lies.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/fac...
Health Canada says it’s "false" and "disinformation" — which effectively means they believe she’s spreading lies.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/fac...
Fact File: No 'plan' to 'euthanize' 15 million Canadians with MAID
Podcast clips recently shared on social media claim that Health Canada plans to save money by "euthanizing" 15 million Canadians.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The Canadian Press finally called out Kelsi Sheren’s claim that Canada has a plan to euthanize 15 Million Canadians.
Health Canada says it’s "false" and "disinformation" — which effectively means they believe she’s spreading lies.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/fac...
Health Canada says it’s "false" and "disinformation" — which effectively means they believe she’s spreading lies.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/fac...
A terrific explainer about MAiD in Canada chatelaine.com/health/maid-...
Everything You Need To Know About MAID (But Didn’t Know To Ask) - Chatelaine
It’s been legal for almost a decade, but many Canadians are still in the dark about how it works.
chatelaine.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:52 AM
A terrific explainer about MAiD in Canada chatelaine.com/health/maid-...
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
"Research on Canada's potential savings from medically assisted death misrepresented". Agreed, though we'd use a stronger word than "misrepresented".
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
November 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
"Research on Canada's potential savings from medically assisted death misrepresented". Agreed, though we'd use a stronger word than "misrepresented".
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
The Atlantic published our letter in their December issue, responding to the magazine’s September feature on MAiD in Canada. Due to limited space, that published version was an anaemic review of the original critique we published on Substack. maidincanada.substack.com/p/our-letter...
Our Letter in The Atlantic
After our response to Elaina Plott Calabro's MAiD feature titled "Canada is Killing Itself", the editors invited us to submit a letter. It was published—but not without limits.
maidincanada.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The Atlantic published our letter in their December issue, responding to the magazine’s September feature on MAiD in Canada. Due to limited space, that published version was an anaemic review of the original critique we published on Substack. maidincanada.substack.com/p/our-letter...
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Indivisible Launches its Largest Primary Program in Response to Senate Democrats Surrendering on the Shutdown Vote
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
"We’re done waiting for Dems to find their spine. We can’t afford a weak & cowardly Democratic Party while the authoritarians invade our cities, terrorize our communities, & threaten our democracy. We get the party we demand, & we intend to demand a Democratic Party that fights.” — @indivisible.org
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
An update on my column: Parliamentary committee drops most contentious parts of its demand for data on research funding. It now wants aggregated, not disaggregated data. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
November 6, 2025 at 2:29 AM
An update on my column: Parliamentary committee drops most contentious parts of its demand for data on research funding. It now wants aggregated, not disaggregated data. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Jocelyn Downie
On Oct 1 the Standing Committee on Science and Research passed an egregious motion calling for the disclosure of disaggregated data for research applications to federal granting council from 2020-2025. On Oct 20 they amended the timeframe to 2000-2025.
@picardonhealth.bsky.social
@picardonhealth.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
On Oct 1 the Standing Committee on Science and Research passed an egregious motion calling for the disclosure of disaggregated data for research applications to federal granting council from 2020-2025. On Oct 20 they amended the timeframe to 2000-2025.
@picardonhealth.bsky.social
@picardonhealth.bsky.social