https://choiceisanillusion.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/press-release-bill-c-14.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dore: "Canada’s Bill C-14, which seeks to codify assisted suicide and euthanasia, is a recipe for elder abuse.”
“The bill is contrary to the Canadian Supreme Court case,
Carter v Canada, which envisioned a ‘carefully designed and monitored system of safeguards.’”
Contact: Margaret Dore: (206) 697-1217
margaretdore@margaretdore.com
Ottawa, ON - Lawyer
Margaret Dore, president of
Choice is an Illusion, which has been fighting efforts to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in the United States, Canada and other countries, made the following statement in connection with Canada’s Bill C-14, which seeks to codify assisted suicide and euthanasia into law.
"The bill refers to assisted suicide and euthanasia as 'medical assistance in dying,' but there is no requirement that a person be dying,” said Dore. “‘Eligible’ persons may have years, even decades, to live.”
Dore said
, "The bill is a recipe for elder abuse. The patient's heir, who will financially benefit from the patient's death, is allowed to actively participate in signing the patient up for the lethal dose. There is no oversight over administration." Dore elaborated, "In the case of assisted suicide, not even a doctor or other medically trained person is required to be present at the death. If the patient struggled, who would know?"
“The bill is a response to the Canadian Supreme Court decision,
Carter v. Canada, which found a right to assisted suicide and euthanasia for ‘competent’ adults who ‘clearly consent,’” said Dore. The bill, however, does not comply with these requirements. Dore explained, “The bill does not even use the word ‘competent,’ except in the bill’s preamble, which does not have force of law. The bill violates
Carter, which requires that the patient be a ‘competent adult.’”
“
Carter also envisioned a ‘carefully designed and monitored system of safeguards,’” said Dore. “This would at the very least require oversight when the lethal dose is administered to the patient. The bill does not do so. There is also no required monitoring or investigation after the patient’s death.”
