Canadian government consultation on legislative options for Assisted Dying begins.

Alex Schadenberg

By Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC)

On July 17, the Canadian government appointed an expert panel to examine the Supreme Court of Canada assisted suicide decision. The panel has a website to enable groups and individuals to be part of a consultation. The panel will make recommendations to the government concerning legislative options for assisted suicide legislation.

The consultation website is now online in English and French.

Written submissions can be sent to:

External Panel on Options for a Legislative Response to Carter v. Canada
East Memorial Building
284 Wellington Street, CS-937
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0H8

The panel appointees are: Dr Harvey Chochinov, a psychiatrist and palliative care leader, Catherine Frazee, a disability rights leader and past co-director of Disability Studies at Ryerson University, and Benoit Pelletier, a member of the faculty of law at the University of Ottawa.

EPC is encouraging our supporters to "sign up" for the consultation updates on the consultation website by entering the required information.

EPC is urging our supporters to submit their opinions to the consultation.

Talking Points:

• People with disabilities, frail elderly people and those who are dependent on others can be subtly pressured.
• Canadians need better end-of-life care. Caring Not Killing.
• Elder abuse has become a scourge on our culture. Euthanasia may become the ultimate form of elder abuse.
• Euthanasia is accepted for depression or other psychiatric reasons in Belgium and the Netherlands. These are people who need help not death.
• The law needs to protect Canadians, especially when we are at the most vulnerable time of our lives.

It is important for you to state your opinion now.

Links to resource articles to help you respond to the consultation.

• Opposing the Supreme Court of Canada assisted death decision.
• Supreme Court Assisted Suicide decision is irresponsible and dangerous.
• Canada: Assisted suicide letter writing campaign.
• Study: Euthanasia for psyciatric reasons - 100 Belgian cases.
• Belgium: Euthanasia treatment for depression.
• More than 1000 deaths were hastened without request in Belgium.
• Assisted suicide shouldn't be for those in the fog of depression.
• Liz Carr speaks about euthanasia of people with disabilities.
• Assisted suicide ruling warps the perception of people with disabilities.
• Assisted suicide is just wrong - disability perspective.
• Ontario physicians want their conscience rights protected.
• Canadians need a right to good palliative care.
• Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians - Assisted suicide should not be provided by palliative care physicians.