Two people in Montreal demand expansion of euthanasia law.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

A few days ago Dr. Yves Robert, Secretary of the Collège des médecins du Québec, questioned the direction of the euthanasia law. Robert asked the question:

“If the goal is euthanasia on demand based on a “right”, are we still talking about Medical Aid in Dying? Or simply Aid in Dying? And what, then, would the medical profession have to do with it?”

Today, two Montreal people with chronic conditions challenged Canada's euthanasia law claiming that the "terminal definition" - natural death must be reasonably foreseeable - is too restrictive. 

The "terminal requirement" was designed to limit euthanasia to people who are actually dying and not to allow euthanasia based on disability or psychological conditions alone.

CTV news reported that Jean Truchon and Nicole Gladu held a press conference in Montreal:

At a news conference alongside their lawyer, Jean-Pierre Menard, they explained they suffer from degenerative diseases but are not eligible for medical aid in dying because their deaths are not reasonably foreseeable and they are not at the end of their lives. 

They are asking the court to allow doctors to provide them with medical aid in dying and to invalidate the articles of the laws setting the criteria.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has always recognized that legalizing euthanasia and/or assisted suicide cannot be controlled. 

We also argued that based on "equality" that the Carter decision was irresponsible and dangerous and that the language of the decision would make it difficult to limit euthanasia to specific conditions.

The terminal definition "natural death must be reasonably foreseeable" lacks clear meaning. One of the reasons that the euthanasia lobby is wanting to eliminate this restriction is because it is a nebulous definition. Sadly, the language of Bill 14 had other problems that may become a significant problem in the near future.

Once you cross the clear line and permit doctors and nurse practitioners to kill their patients, then the only remaining debate is for what reason.

The Netherlands is currently debating extending euthanasia to people who claim to have a "completed life." There is no floor to euthanasia.

If Canada strikes down the minor restrictions that exist within its euthanasia law, then euthanasia will become the answer to any or no medical or psychological condition.

Every human person goes through highs and lows in life. 

Killing people is abandonment, not freedom.