Newsletter

A Word from the Director

In the last weeks, we have witnessed several quite extraordinary turnarounds. The articles of the Quebec law concerning "medical aid in dying" were first suspended by the Quebec Superior Court, then the suspension was lifted pending the decision of the Court of Appeal that is hearing the case today, December 18. In the meantime, impossible to guarantee full immunity to doctors who would venture on the path of euthanasia which is still incompatible with the Canadian Criminal Code. It remains to be seen whether the Court of Appeal will reject the government's request by extending the suspension until the entry into force of a federal law.

Meanwhile, I would like to take the opportunity of this time of the year to thank you warmly for your continued support and your numerous messages that encourage us in this fight to preserve human solidarity and promote true health care accessible to all.

On behalf of the entire team of Living with Dignity, I wish you a Merry Christmas, a very Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

News in Quebec

• December 1st: The Quebec Superior Court renders inoperative all the articles of the Quebec Act related to "medical aid in dying", which were to take effect on December 10, declaring them incompatible with the Canadian Criminal Code until the Federal Government implements a new law to frame the decision of the Supreme Court to legalize assisted suicide in Canada. The judgment also points out the use of a euphemism in Quebec law to hide that it is human euthanasia.

• December 9: the Quebec Court of Appeal allows the Quebec Government to challenge the judgment of the Superior Court at a hearing on December 18.

• December 10: given the temporary suspension of the judgment of the Superior Court pending the decision of the Court of Appeal, the Quebec Government announces that the articles related to "medical aid in dying" are coming into force pending the verdict of the Court of Appeal, but cannot guarantee total immunity to doctors who participate in a process of euthanasia.

• December 18: hearing of the Government of Quebec appeal regarding the incompatibility of its articles related to "medical aid in dying" with the Criminal Code of Canada. The decision of the Court of Appeal is expected soon but at this point we do not know the exact date.

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News in Canada

• December 4: the Federal Government requests from the Supreme Court of Canada a six months extension of the February 6, 2016 deadline to legislate on assisted suicide.

• December 13: publication of the report of the Provincial-Territorial Advisory Group, responsible for making recommendations to the Federal government, in which it advocates death on demand even for children.

• January 11, 2016: hearing on the request of the Federal government for an additional six months to have time to rewrite the law related to assisted suicide.​