Vancouver priest says he was offered assisted death twice at hospital, raising concerns over MAiD discussions and patient vulnerability in Canada.
Newsroom (04/05/2026 Gaudium Press) A Vancouver priest recovering from a hip fracture says he was twice offered medical assistance in dying (MAiD) by health-care staff, despite being known to oppose euthanasia — a case critics say reflects a growing trend of clinicians initiating such conversations.
Fr. Larry Holland, 79, is convalescing at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) after suffering a fall on Christmas Day. A priest who has also completed studies in health-care chaplaincy, Holland said he was “shocked” when a doctor raised the possibility of assisted death during his recovery.
“There are some things you just don’t talk about to some people,” Holland said.
According to Holland, he was neither dying at the time nor has he since been diagnosed with a terminal condition. He described falling silent when the doctor first mentioned MAiD, before the physician raised the subject again, explaining it is “something they have to discuss with someone who’s been given a terminal diagnosis.”
Holland said he told the doctor he was morally opposed to euthanasia. The physician responded that he wanted to ensure Holland was aware of available services should a terminal diagnosis arise.
Weeks later, Holland said a nurse also brought up MAiD. He described the nurse as appearing uncomfortable and suggested the conversation was motivated by compassion in response to his pain.
“It’s a false compassion, really,” he said.
In a statement to The B.C. Catholic, a spokesperson for Vancouver Coastal Health, which operates VGH, said staff may raise MAiD “based on their clinical judgment,” provided they have the appropriate knowledge and skills. The spokesperson added that staff are also responsible for responding when patients initiate discussions about assisted dying.
The incidents come as Canada approaches 100,000 assisted-dying deaths, intensifying debate over how and when MAiD should be discussed in clinical settings.
Fr. Larry Lynn, pro-life chaplain for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, said he was “shocked” by Holland’s experience, calling it “among the most appalling examples of Canada’s coercive and insensitive euthanasia regime.”
“It’s disturbing that a health-care provider suggests euthanasia with any patient, and particularly when the patient is a consecrated religious known to be morally opposed,” Lynn said, adding that such actions risk exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Amanda Achtman, ethics director of Canadian Physicians for Life and creator of the anti-euthanasia project Dying to Meet You, argued that initiating MAiD discussions can amount to coercion.
“To torment someone who has deeply held beliefs with an offer of MAiD is an attack on their identity,” she said.
The issue has also drawn political attention. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis has introduced Bill C-260, which seeks to prohibit federal employees from proactively offering or recommending MAiD. The proposed legislation follows reports of vulnerable individuals, including veterans, being steered toward assisted dying by government workers.
At the provincial level, Alberta introduced legislation in March that would limit how MAiD information is provided. The Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act would restrict health professionals from discussing assisted dying unless patients initiate the conversation and would also limit public displays of MAiD-related information in health-care facilities.
Holland’s case adds to ongoing questions about the balance between informing patients of end-of-life options and respecting their personal convictions, particularly as Canada’s assisted-dying framework continues to expand.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Catholic Register
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