The court has given federal and provincial governments 12 months to craft legislation to respond to the ruling; the ban on doctor-assisted suicide stands until then. If the government doesn’t write a new law, the court’s exemption for physicians will stand.
Justice Minister Peter MacKay released a short statement acknowledging the ruling covers “a sensitive issue for many Canadians, with deeply held beliefs on both sides.”
“We will study the decision and ensure all perspectives on this difficult issue are heard,” the minister said in the statement.
The case was brought by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association on behalf of two women, Kay Carter and Gloria Taylor, both of whom have died since the legal battle began. Both women had degenerative diseases and wanted the right to have a doctor help them die.
Be the first to like.
CBC
