Written on 7 Aug, 2012 at 8:27 in
Announcements, Assisted Suicide, Features | Author:
Paul Tuns | Viewed
Waiting until the second-last business day to file, Canada’s federal government appealed the June 15 decision of B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lynn Smith overturning Canada’s ban on euthanasia and assisted suicide. Smith claimed that Canada’s Criminal Code prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide violated the Charter rights of those seeking assistance killing themselves and those who help them carry out their lethal wishes. The justice also argued the Criminal Code provisions violated ... (Continue reading)
Written on 18 Jul, 2012 at 12:12 in
Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, Issues | Author:
| Viewed
On June 15, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Lynn Smith said that the Criminal Code prohibitions on euthanasia and assisted suicide were unconstitutional, finding that they “unjustifiably infringe the equality rights” of one of plaintiffs in the case, Gloria Taylor, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease and wants assistance to end her own life. Justice Smith also said the prohibitions unjustifiably violate the life, liberty and security of Lee Carter and Hollis Johnson because they could face criminal charges after they ... (Continue reading)
Written on 14 Jan, 2012 at 9:34 in
Euthanasia | Author:
Pauline Kosalka and Paul Tuns | Viewed
In November and December, the British Columbia Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case challenging the Criminal Code prohibition on euthanasia and assisted-suicide.
Last April, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) brought forward a suit on behalf of the family of Kay Carter to challenge the constitutionality of provisions in Canada’s criminal code which protect people from euthanasia and assisted suicide. Under Section 241 of the Canadian Criminal Code aiding, abetting, and ... (Continue reading)
Written on 6 Jan, 2012 at 9:23 in
Announcements, Features, News Bits | Author:
| Viewed
Honourable mentions: There are notable stories that would typically make the top 10 list, but do not – although they still warrant acknowledgment: the media fury over the 7 billionth person in the world being born; the British Columbia Supreme Court ruling against polygamy; the Supreme Court of Canada decision to keep the Insite “safe injection” clinic in Vancouver open; the release of the pro-life film 180; the Pro-Life Club at the University of Calgary challenging the university’s “non-academic misconduct” ... (Continue reading)
Written on 27 Dec, 2011 at 12:42 in
Euthanasia | Author:
Paul Tuns | Viewed
On Nov. 14, the B.C. Supreme Court began hearing arguments in Carter vs. Attorney General of Canada, challenging Canada’s laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide. The case, brought forth by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association on behalf of Lee Carter and four others, seeks to throw out Canada’s Criminal Code provisions against euthanasia and assisted suicide and have assisted death treated as a medical issue rather than a legal one.
In 2010, Kay Carter died by assisted suicide at the Swiss ... (Continue reading)
Written on 30 Sep, 2011 at 11:26 in
Euthanasia | Author:
Paul Tuns | Viewed
In August, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Lynn Smith made two important decisions in cases challenging Canada’s laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide.
On August 4, Smith fast-tracked the Carter/Taylor case and on August 17 she rejected a lawsuit filed by the Farewell Foundation for the Right to Die challenging Canadian laws against assisted suicide.
The Carter/Taylor case will be heard Nov. 15. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is representing Gloria Taylor and the family of Kay Carter, who launched the challenge ... (Continue reading)
Written on 28 Jun, 2011 at 17:13 in
Euthanasia | Author:
| Viewed
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association filed a lawsuit challenging Canada’s ban on assisted suicide. The suit was filed in the province’s Supreme Court on April 26 on behalf of Lee and Hollis Johnson. The couple took Lee’s mother, 89-year-old Kay Carter, to Switzerland in January 2010 to have her killed by lethal injection, a crime that is punishable in Canada by up to 14 years imprisonment. According to the lawsuit, Section 241 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits counseling ... (Continue reading)
