A Canadian hospice is asking for the government to reconsider their proposal to give up $750,000 in funding each year to no provide Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) to patients.

The hospice, located in Vancouver, B.C., does not want to violate its mandate of care and compassion for patients by implementing MAiD.

Because the option to consider MAiD is openly available at other nearby facilities, the hospice is calling the demand placed on it by the health authority unnecessary.

One such facility is located just across the street from the hospice.

The $750,000 loss in funding each year proposed by the hospice would place the facility under the 50 per cent threshold set by the government. Being under this funding limit would exempt the facility from being required to offer the MAiD option to patients.

President of the Delta Hospice Society (DHS) Angelina Ireland says the Charter for the society sets out the mandate that facilities provide compassionate care and support for patients in their last days to provide as much comfort as possible to them.

"Helping and supporting patients to live fully and comfortably in their last days and giving support to them and their families is what our patients and families come to us for and expect and it is certainly what our staff are dedicated to providing," says Ireland.

Ireland says an option that takes steps to end the life of a patient is not in accordance with their mandate to provide care and support for each person to live fully.

DHS was ordered to provide MAiD as an option to patients by the Fraser Health Authority in late 2019. The health authority claimed that failure to do so by the facility would constitute a breach of DHS's agreement with the health authority.

Ireland, however, says DHS agreeing to provide MAiD within the facility would have legal consequences, as it would violate the facility's commitment under B.C.'s Societies' Act, an act that requires them to act in accordance with their Charter.

While DHS has attempted to work with the health authority and has explained their legal obligations, but the health authority has not reconsidered their position.

The request by DHS to the health authority to reconsider their forfeiting of government funding came on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020.

The loss of funding would require the facility to refocus efforts on the work of the hospice and give up services for the community until alternate means of funding could be found.

Ireland says the issue is not accessibility, as MAiD is offered at a facility across the street from the hospice.

"The issue is not accessibility. It seems to be a purely agenda-driven demand that runs roughshod over both Delta Hospice Society's desire to live up to its legal requirements under our Charter, as well as ignoring the reality that we are dealing with patients and families in a very vulnerable and delicate position," she says.

"Our goal is to fulfill our mission. And that is to help patients and their loved ones live quietly, comfortably, and as fully as possible in their final days of life."

Ireland says the hospice hopes to reach an agreement with Fraser Health Authority that will meet the needs of all parties involved.