Legalizing Euthanasia in Canada

Legalizing Euthanasia in Canada

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Legalizing Euthanasia in Canada

            Euthanasia or physician-assisted dying is already being practised in regions where it is illegal. According to the 2004 to 2007 survey by Clive Seale (a researcher at the University of Toronto), there exists a considerable number (nearly 1000) incidences of voluntary euthanasia yearly within Canada (Emanuel et al., 2016). Such practices occur as a result of a few compassionate medics who are willing to assist their critically ill patients to die with honour. A perfect case of euthanasia is that of the case study where Sue Rodriguez, who suffered from Lou Gehrog’s illness, decided to kill himself with the help of an anonymous physician and in the presence of his advocate. For this reason, it is vital to raise the question: why not legalize euthanasia in Canada, for it is already being practised in the country? The answer is a resounding yes.

            As indicated in the case study, section 241 of the Canadian Criminal Code prohibits both physician-assisted suicide (PAS) as well as physician-assisted euthanasia (PAE) and manages the accessibility to both processes within the country. This law is, however, unconstitutional because it denies Canadian citizens the right to have control over decisions that are crucial to their psychological, emotional and physical dignity. It is also undeniable that these laws limit the freedom of physicians to provide end-of-life care (palliative care) to terminally ill patients. Another suitable example within the case study that serves as proof regarding the unconstitutionality of section 241 of the Canadian Criminal Code is that of Gloria Taylor, who appealed against sections 15 and 76 of the charter in which the British Columbia Supreme Court agreed with her. Therefore, given the above illustrations, it is undeniable that euthanasia in Canada should be legalized.