Journey to the Supreme Court
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- Published on Monday, 19 May 2014 13:20
- Written by editor
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People Behind the Case Elayne Shapray
“It is my great hope that the Supreme Court of Canada will strike down this cruel and discriminatory law. The law forces people in my position who suffer from progressively debilitating diseases, to think about death every day.
Ending my life through self-starvation, over medication or some other self-inflicted injury are my only options until the Court rules that the law is unconstitutional.
We allow our suffering dogs more humane treatment than we do ourselves.” - Elayne Shapray
Lee, Hollis and Kay
“My mother, Kay, was a lifelong supporter of the dying with dignity movement. My mother was a great lady, and I feel like I am honouring her memory by participating in this legal challenge.” - Lee Carter
Our Journey to the Supreme Court
Dear PAOV,
Last week marked the beginning of the BCCLA’s journey to the Supreme Court of Canada to fight for the right for physician-assisted dying.
We filed our written arguments in the case and in October we will present our oral arguments at the Supreme Court.
Your support made this possible. Thank you.
Without our dedicated members and donors we would not have been able continue this important fight. Would you please make a donation today?
This morning, plaintiffs Lee Carter and Hollis Johnson and family members of the deceased lead plaintiff Gloria Taylor gathered in Vancouver to announce this journey. Elayne Shapray, who suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) and provided evidence in the case, was also present.
Our fight actually began more than three years ago.
In April 2011, the BCCLA filed a lawsuit against the federal government, challenging the laws that make it a criminal offense to assist seriously and incurably ill people to die.
We were overjoyed when the BC Supreme Court struck down the laws, giving Parliament one year to draft new legislation and granting plaintiff Gloria Taylor the right to seek a dignified death. The federal government appealed the decision and we returned to court.
Last October the BC Court of Appeal ruled that only the Supreme Court of Canada could overturn the 1993 Rodriguez decision on physician-assisted dying. We had no choice but to ask the Supreme Court to hear our case.
In the 20 years since the Supreme Court heard Sue Rodriguez’ plea for justice, Canadians views on assisted dying have changed. It’s time for Canada to adopt a new approach that reflects these views and respects compassionate choice.
Thank you again for making this next step possible.
Sincerely,
Josh Paterson and the BCCLA Team
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