Death with dignity update: delay is not an option
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- Published on Tuesday, 06 October 2015 08:15
- Written by editor
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Donna's message to voters: delay is not an option
It’s been eight months since our historic victory affirming the right to physician assistance in dying. At that time, the Supreme Court gave Parliament and the provincial legislatures 12 months to decide whether legislative changes are needed before the Court's ruling takes effect.
Today, with only four months left until the February 6, 2016 deadline, little progress has been made.
As delays drag on, Donna DeLorme, a Calgary woman who struggled for nearly two decades with multiple sclerosis and advocated passionately for the right to doctor-assisted dying, was forced to take her own life. Donna celebrated the Supreme Court victory, but she could not wait any longer.
In her public blog Donna called on each of us to demand immediate action. Today, we share her words so that her voice may reach as many ears as possible.
We are close to voting for our next Prime Minister, and nothing regarding PAD [physician assisted dying] is being discussed. I understand it's a difficult topic for some, and they want to do it right. BUT IT STILL HAS TO BE DONE.The Supreme Court set the deadline, and I hope and pray that it's kept. On February 7, 2016 people like me can have access to our right to physician assistance to die. But without legislation and guidelines, no one will help us. Please help me and those like me end our suffering by being as vocal as you can, demanding better from our politicians. Please don't make it harder for us.
What you can do today
With each passing day Canadians who desperately want this change in the law are running out of time. Today in the BCCLA blog we highlight public consultations at both the federal and provincial levels that you can take part in, along with information about where the federal political parties have positioned themselves on this issue during this election.
Click here for more information on the public consultations and the federal parties' positions
We encourage all our supporters to take part in the federal and provincial consultations, and to demand action from your federal candidates. The federal consultation will remain open until November 1, 2015; the provincial consultation (geared at Ontarians but open to all) is only open to the public until October 9, 2015.
The Supreme Court of Canada has affirmed the constitutional right of seriously and incurably ill competent adults to seek physician assistance in dying. There is no room for debate on this right, and there is no time for delay.
Today, help us to make this right a reality.
Sincerely,
Josh Paterson, Executive Director
and the BCCLA team
