Euthanasia

Euthanasia and assisted suicide continue to be contentious issues in Canada, with recent court decisions and federal legislation igniting the debate in Parliament, in media and social media, on campus and around the kitchen table.  Becoming educated and informed on this issue is important for all of us and the following are some links and resources to help you get started.

CURRENT CANADIAN EUTHANASIA & ASSISTED SUICIDE CASES

*Carter v. Canada case in the B.C. Supreme Court: June 15 2012

  • The B.C. Supreme Court passed judgment on the Carter v. Canada Case.  As Will Johnston, Chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of B.C., stated in a National Post opinion piece, the decision:
    • “purports to create constitutional immunity for those who provide assistance to those seeking to kill themselves — a judgment that stands at odds with the Supreme Court of Canada’s Rodriguez ruling in 1993. …. Current law will stand for at least a year (the sole exception being the plaintiff in this case, 64-year-old ALS patient Gloria Taylor)”. 
Quebec Government Establishes a Legal Committee for the Purpose of Allowing Euthanasia and/or Assisted Suicide 
  • On June 14th, 2012, the Liberal Quebec government announced that it is creating a committee of legal experts to examine how euthanasia and assisted suicide could be allowed in Quebec, despite the fact that they are forbidden by the federal criminal code.
  • Blog post by Alexander Schandenberg
Rasouli Case

 

PAST CANADIAN EUTHANASIA & ASSISTED SUICIDE CASES

Bill C-384: April 21, 2010 
  • This Bill was introduced on May 13, 2009 by Quebec MP Francine Lalonde, and sought to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
  • On April 21, 2010 this Bill was defeated in parliament by a vote of 228-59.
  • Summary of Bill C-384
Rodriguez v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 1993
  • Sue Rodriguez, an individual with ALS, filed her case in the BC Supreme Court, stating that the Criminal Code’s prohibition of assisted suicide was contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as it violated sections 7 (the right to “life, liberty, and security of the person), 12 (protection against “cruel and unusual punishment”), and 15(1).
  • In a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the section of the Criminal Code prohibiting assisted suicide.
  • Court case summary by the government of Canada

 

IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS TO KNOW

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of Canada

  • The EPC exists to educate people about euthanasia and assisted suicide. The EPC will represent the vulnerable in court in order to preserve and enforce the legal prohibitions and ethical guidelines prohibiting “mercy killing.” They also raise awareness of hospice/palliative care and work to make improvements to these services.
  • To stay up-to-date on developments and coverage in Canada and internationally, follow the blog of their Executive Director, Alex Schadenberg
  • EPC-BC is an affiliate of EPC Canada. They are a coalition against assisted suicide and euthanasia, and are current intervenors in the Carter Case.

Vivre dans la Dignité (Living with Dignity)

  • This is a Quebec-based network that works to promote respect for the lives and the inherent, inalienable dignity of persons made vulnerable by illness or age by assuring them compassionate support.

Life Canada