Once more, it is time to act on the issue of assisted suicide. Write to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Justice Minister Peter MacKay, as well as to your MP, to ask them to use the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to counter the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Carter case.

As you probably  know, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously decided that in certain circumstances physiacian-assisted death is no longer a criminal act. The Supreme Court has suspended the effect of its decision for 12 months, not leaving much time to act to the Federal Government, given the complexity of the issue and  the federal  elections scheduled for next fall.

Living with Dignity and the Physicians' Alliance against euthanasia insist that the notwithstanding clause be used to protect the most vulnerable, such as our elders, people with disabilities, and even people with depression, who are all at risk of an unjust and unnecessary death.

Your letter should clearly state that you are asking the Parliament of Canada to use its powers under the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect those  Canadians that are most vulnerable.

You may also want to discuss one of the following points, or others that are of concern to you:

• Many people with disabilities feel threatened by assisted death.
• Suicide prevention is inconsistent  with assisted suicide.
• Freedom of conscience of physicians and other healthcare professionals must be protected.
• A "right to die" should not cause an obligation to kill.
• The vague criteria in the Supreme Court’s decision leave  the door wide open to abuse ofall kind.

Contact details to send your letters:

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper

Office of the Prime Minister

80 Wellington St.

Ottawa ON K1A 0A2 (No stamp necessary)

Fax: 613-941-6900

The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A6 (No stamp necessary)

Fax: 613-954-0811

Your Member of Parliament (Name) MP

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A6 (No stamp necessary)

Find your MP: http://www.parl.gc.ca/parliamentarians/en/members

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