The Catholic Register reported that the doctors have filed an application seeking a permanent injunction against the college's new human rights policy. They are unhappy they could be disciplined if they refuse to refer patients for abortion, contraception and legal euthanasia procedures.
The Christian Medical and Dental Association supported by the Canadian Federation of Catholic Physician's Societies are asking the court to find that the new policy violates believer's rights to freedom of religion and freedom of conscience under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons said in a release that it will 'vigorously defend the recently approved policy'.
Dr Diane Haak from the Christian Medical and Dental Association said asking them to act against their conscience is bad practice for patients and doctors. She added doctors caught up in this battle of conscience, facing disciplinary action for doing what their conscience dictates, risk feeling burnt out and may leave the practice all together.
The two medical associations are raising funds among their members to meet an expected $150,000 legal bill. The two factions have not met face-to-face for seven months.
