May 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update
On May 15, 2019, the Court of Appeal for Ontario released its decision in Christian Medical and Dental Society of Canada v. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, dismissing the appeal from the Divisional Court with regard to the constitutional validity of two policies of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (“CPSO”), requiring physicians, even those who object on the basis of religion or conscience, to provide patients with an “effective referral” for services and resources, such as abortion and medical assistance in dying (the “CPSO Policies”). An effective referral in the CPSO Policies is defined as “a referral made in good faith, to a non-objecting, available and accessible physician, other health care professional, or agency.”
For the balance of this Bulletin, please see Church Law Bulletin No. 56.