Doctors’ Right to Refuse to Provide Treatment Uncertain- Elyse Sunshine Comments

An Ottawa Citizen story about doctors coming under fire for refusing to prescribe birth control has renewed a longstanding debate over whether health professionals are permitted to refuse to treat patients because of their religious and other beliefs. In an interview, Elyse Sunshine notes that notwithstanding the Human Rights Code, College policy has suggested that, if handled professionally, doctors can refuse to provide treatments to patients that is contrary to their religious and moral grounds.

This College policy is now under review (currently in the public consultation phase) and it will be interesting to see what, if any, changes are made.