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]
Category: Canada
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]
Canadian Catholic bishops issue letter on freedom of conscience and religion
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a 12 page Pastoral Letter on Freedom of Conscience and Religion. While addressed to all people of good will, the bishops particularly addressed themselves to “those members of the faithful who find themselves in difficult situations where they may be pressured to act against their religious faith or their conscience.” The document emphasizes that freedom of conscience may be acknowledged by state authority, but state authority does not create it. Among the examples of violations of freedom of conscience, the document cites rules requiring referral for abortion by objecting physicians and the demand that objecting pharmacists dispense contraceptives or the ‘morning after pill.’ It recommends four strategies: affirmation of the role of religion in the public square, upholding a healthy relationship between Church and stated, forming conscience according to truth, and protecting the right to conscientious objection