Danielle Smith, leader of Alberta’s Wildrose Party, has stated that the party will reverse its position on freedom of conscience, instead adopting a policy that health care workers should be forced to facilitate services or procedures to which they object for religious or moral reasons. Her statements have been contested by one of the party’s elected members [Calgary Sun].
Category: Canada
Canadian government to appeal assisted suicide/euthanasia ruling
The Canadian federal government announed that it will appeal the B.C. Supreme Court decision of Carter v. Canada that struck down the law against physician assisted suicide and euthanasia. [Globe and Mail]
Canadian judge strikes down law against physician assisted suicide, voluntary euthanasia
Madam Justice Smith of the British Columbia Supreme Court has struck down sections of the Criminal Code prohibiting physician assisted suicide and euthanasia, given the Government of Canada one year to draft a law allowing the procedures, and granted a woman with ALS a “constitutional exemption” that will allow her to have a court authorize assisted suicide or euthanasia in her case in the interim. [Ruling] [Project review of ruling]
Quebec to consider allowing euthanasia and assisted suicide
Quebec Minister of Health Yves Bolduc and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Quebec, Jean-Marc Fournier have announed that a committee of legal experts will be formed to determine how to allow assisted suicide and euthanasia in the province, though the procedures are criminal offences in Canada. [LifeSite News]
Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians rejects euthanasia
The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians has rejected a recommendation from a Quebec legislative committee that euthanasia and physician assisted suicide be legalized. The Society stated that the procedures contradict “a fundamental tenet” of the Society and most palliative care physicians. The president of the Society said “We are concerned that, despite the fact that our members are unwilling to provide these services, this may be mandated if it becomes law in Quebec.” [CSPCP statement]