Correspondence from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Thank you for
your correspondence concerning euthanasia
and physician‑assisted suicide. I regret the delay in responding.
Many Canadians
are concerned about this complex ethical, legal, and medical issue. We
recognize that people have widely divergent and strongly held views about this
issue.
As you know,
the Criminal Code prohibits the practices of
euthanasia and physician‑assisted suicide in Canada. These laws exist to
protect all Canadians, including the most vulnerable members of our society,
such as those who are sick or elderly and persons with
disabilities.
We
believe that the provisions prohibiting a medical professional, or anyone else,
from counselling or providing assistance in a suicide are constitutionally
valid. As you know, in April 2010, the legalization of euthanasia and
physician‑assisted suicide under certain conditions was debated in the House of
Commons. A majority of
Parliamentarians voted against changing our criminal laws. I personally voted against this bill.
As you
may be aware, on January 16, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada
granted leave to appeal the decision of October 10, 2013, by the
British Columbia Court of Appeal in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General),
which found that the prohibition
against physician‑assisted suicide was unconstitutional. Please be assured that
the Government of Canada will vigorously defend the constitutionality of the
existing laws in this area before our country’s highest court.
Thank you again
for writing.
Yours
truly,
The Honourable
Peter MacKay
These are scary times when judges can decide to overturn the very constitution of a domocracy. When was such power designated to appointed individuals? Perhaps it is time for the government to revamp or at least restrict the power of the entire judicial system in Canada.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, may common sense prevail regarding this most critical issue. Hats off to the Hon. Peter MacKay for taking the lead in the right direction.