As originally reported in CBC News, Canada is deciding on new parameters to set for medically assisted death, legalized in 2016. Since legalization, 6,700 Canadians have made use of the service, and ended their lives early due to health related circumstances.
2016 Legislation
Under the current legislation, the right to this enormous decision is reserved for those who have a reason to cut life short early, and will not be cutting much time. This was created under a liberal government which decided that only those expecting a natural death within the “reasonably foreseeable” future could choose medically assisted death. However, a case was brought before Quebec’s court by two patients living with cerebral palsy, who as a result have spent life paralyzed and with severe scoliosis. The conservative government has taken this case to challenge this initial parameter with the goal of wanting to expand the eligible population to include those who may not have an inevitable time limit yet still live in unbearable health.
Proposed Changes
Before the specifics of the changes are decided this week, they are using online surveying to gather popular opinion on which populations warrant access. Those up for debate include people under 18 deemed mature enough to be in charge of such a grave decision, those with mental illness, and those who want to apply early to give consent for circumstances when they may no longer have the capacity.
Regardless, the policy was up for review this year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed himself to the updates in his election campaign and other justices have floated different conceptions and ideas around where the line should be. However, Quebec’s Superior Court has now created a specific challenge that the rest of the country has six months to address. They are in the process of consulting experts, top officials of Health and disability inclusion, and the Canadian public.
Quebec’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti has said on the matter, “Medical assistance in dying is a profoundly complex and personal issue for many Canadians. The consultations we are launching today will allow us to hear directly from Canadians and guide the path forward.”
