06/18/2012 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)
Vancouver, British Columbia – A Canadian court has made a ruling with regards to laws that ban doctor-assisted suicide in Canada. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lynn Smith ruled Friday that such laws are unconstitutional and discriminatory against patients who are severely ill.
As noted in the report, the judge suspended the ruling to allow time for legislation to be drafted by Canada’s federal Parliament.
Grace Pastine of the British Civil Liberties Association is quoted by the AP as stating of the ruling, “The court has recognized that Canadians who are seriously and incurably ill have the right to request a physician to assist them in a dignified and human manner.”
Others were less supportive of the decision. Dr. Will Johnson, Chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is further quoted in the report as stating, “We’re disappointed but not surprised at the radical nature of this decision today which essentially legalizes assisted suicide and euthanasia in Canada.”
The penalty for assisted suicide in Canada has been up to 14 years in prison in accordance with laws that are currently in place.
Justice News Flash delivers the latest in Canada legal news.
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