Death with dignity update: we're back in court.
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- Published on Friday, 08 January 2016 06:15
- Written by editor
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This Monday, the BCCLA will appear before the Supreme Court of Canada one more time to fight for the right of incurably ill Canadians to make their own end of life choices.
Join us on Facebook to see us at the Supreme Court this Monday.
As you may know, last year on Feb 6, 2015 the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Canadians suffering unbearably with a serious medical condition have the right to seek a compassionate death with the assistance of a doctor.
The judgment is set to come into effect on February 6, 2016.
Federal government requests a delay
Now with just one month left until the February 6 deadline, the federal government has sought a six month delay to the implementation of the Court's ruling -- asking suffering Canadians to wait still longer to see their right become a reality.
We oppose this extension, and we will be fighting it before the Supreme Court.
That's because it's our job to protect the rights of people who are suffering right now- many of these Canadians simply cannot wait any longer. They are suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, MS, and cancer. They are living in fear of deaths that will be agonizing and cruel. Conscientious physicians are prepared to provide this treatment safely to those patients who qualify and who clearly wish to end their suffering.
If the Court decides to delay its ruling, we are seeking special permission for those critically ill Canadians who qualify under the Court's ruling to be able to access physician assisted dying during the extension period.
This Monday, January 11, 2016 the Court will hear arguments related to the government’s request for a delay, and we will let you and all others close to this case know how it went soon after.
Join us on Facebook to follow us at the Supreme Court this Monday.
Provinces make progress: Quebec implements medical aid in dying
Meanwhile, the Provincial-Territorial Expert Advisory Group on assisted dying has released its final report.
These 43 recommendations outline a roadmap for what the provinces and federal government should do to establish a patient-centered, harmonized approach to assisted dying.
On December 10, 2015, Quebec became the first province to implement the right to physician assisted dying.
After a tumultous back and forth in Quebec courts, Quebec's Court of Appeal recently maintained the province's right to allow critically ill patients the choice to die with medical help, the first law of its kind in Canada.
Whether the extension is granted or not, 2016 should see this right finally become a reality across our country.
It has taken years, but together we have not only made history but given choice to Canadians suffering against their will. For that, we are eternally grateful to you and all our supporters for making this happen.
Sincerely,
Grace Pastine, Litigation Director
and the BCCLA team
