April 11, 2016 Newsletter

The new draft bill to allow physician-assisted dying in Canada will likely be made public later this week. However, a source told The Canadian Press that the draft bill will not give patients the right to make advance requests for assisted dying.

We have argued - along with many of you in your own words - that physicians should honour a patient's request when that request is made freely and explicitly in advance.

This isn't just a theoretical threat but one that could drastically reduce the right for those facing a diagnosis of dementia to choose an assisted death.

Please use Dying With Dignity Canada's updated email-an-MP tool to send a letter to your Member of Parliament asking them to protect our right to choose.

Latest

Blog

• Humanists should stand up to pay-for-plasma moral challenge by Ian Bushfield
• A joke book on religious fairy tales by Jim McMurtry

Podcast

• Dr Jim Linville - Not all creation museums are created equal

Upcoming Events


Raheel Raza Reforming Islam - Video Sun, Apr 17, 2016 at 10 AM Oakridge Seniors' Centre, Vancouver We will be viewing an episode of TVO's The Agenda. The topic of reforming Islam will be explored in a moderated panel discussion with prominent moderate Muslim, Raheel Raza, and several Muslim scholars.	Ian Bushfield - The government is still censoring us Sun, Apr 24, 2016 at 10 AM Oakridge Seniors' Centre, Vancouver BCHA Executive Director Ian Bushfield will take a look at Canada's charity law, how it restricts the ability of charities (including the BCHA) to advocate and how it privileges religion. Finally we will look at opportunities for change.

Annual General Meeting Sun, May 1, 2016 at 10 AM Oakridge Seniors' Centre, Vancouver Hear reports from our current board and Executive Director. BCHA members have the chance to run & elect a new Board of Directors. Details can be found online.	Book club - Fields of Blood by Karen Armstrong Tue, May 3, 2016 at 7 PM Goldis' Home, Vancouver From the renowned and bestselling author of A History of God, comes a sweeping exploration of religion's connection to violence.

See all upcoming events on our website.

Note: We're aware of an issue with our website where past events are continuing to display as "upcoming" in our calendars. We've contacted our website's hosts about this issue and are hoping to resolve it soon. If you ever spot any other issues with our website, don't hesitate to let us know.

External Events

North Vancouver Skeptics in the Pub

Tue Apr 12, 7:00pm at Rusty Gull Neighbourhood Pub, 175 E. 1st St., North Vancouver, BC

https://www.facebook.com/events/716670331809267/

Join us in North Vancouver on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm for another evening of skeptical fun, food, drinks, and conversation at The Rusty Gull. Come out and discuss skepticism-related activities with your fellow science enthusiasts, rationalists, and critical thinkers, and maybe meet some new friends.

Fri Apr 15, 7:00pm at Science World at TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Z7, Canada

http://www.scienceworld.ca/adultevenings

The 1st Skeptics in the Pub Downtown at Yagger's

Tue Apr 19, 7:00pm at The back room at Yagger's Downtown, 433 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC

https://www.facebook.com/events/1734972326782292/

Now that the Railway Club is closed, we're trying out new downtown locations to find the new home for Vancouver Skeptics in the Pub Downtown. Yagger's is only a couple of blocks from our previous location, and they've offered us use of their back room for this event. I hear that Tuesdays there have happy hour prices all night, which sounds like a pretty good deal. Please come out and help us decide if Yagger's should become our new regular downtown location.

Surrey/Langley Skeptics in the Pub

Thu Apr 21, 7:00pm at Central City Brewing Co Ltd, 13450 102 Ave., Surrey, BC

Join us for drinks and food in a friendly atmosphere with Surrey/Langley area science enthusiasts who value critical thinking and skepticism. It's a great place to meet local skeptics, make new friends, and get involved and informed about new events and activities. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at Surrey Central City Brewing.

Sun Apr 24, 1:00pm at The Met Bar and Grill, 411 Columbia St., New Westminster, BC

Every fourth Sunday of the month we meet for brunch at the Met Bar & Grill next to the Columbia SkyTrain Station in New Westminster. We're pro-evidence, pro-science free thinkers. Join us if that sounds appealing to you. Breakfast is served all day. Eggs Benny is served until 2 pm so don't be late. If the weather is good we'll be on the patio, otherwise we'll sit inside.

Be there or b²

Imagine No Religion 6

May 20-22 at Executive Airport Plaza, Richmond, BC