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: Assisted suicide
British Medical Association affirms stand against euthanasia
Despite claims that 80% of the British population supports euthanasia and assisted suicide, and that 40% of physicians do so, the British Medical Association has voted against supporting a euthanasia bill being proposed in the Scots parliament. Strong views were expressed by those on opposite sides of the issue. [The Scotsman]
Nursing homes in Swiss canton to be forced to accept assisted suicide
A plan put forward by the parliament of the Swiss canton of Vaud to oblige nursing homes to accept assisted suicide has been approved by the electorate. The new law is supported by associations of Vaud nursing homes and physicians. It specifies that the applicant must be suffering from an incurable illness or injury and be of sound mind. The voters rejected an alternative proposal that would have given nursing home residents an unconditional right to assisted suicide. [swissinfo.ch] It does not appear that a rejection of both positions in favour of a ban on assisted suicide was considered, nor does it appear that there was a discussion of the possibility of conscientious objection.
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]