Bill 52 allows for end-of-life intervention by doctors to hasten the deaths of people requesting that their suffering be terminated. The bill was passed in a free vote in the province of Quebec’s National Assembly on June 5th, 2014.
But even before it became law, the Coalition of Physicians for Social Justice was opposing the move. On May 27th, a motion was filed in the Superior Court of Montreal challenging the bill on the grounds it is “illegal, illicit and unconstitutional”.
Dr. Paul Saba is a familiy doctor, and president of the coalition. He, and Lisa D’Amico, a woman handicapped by cerebral palsy, are the plaintiffs in the case.
Dr. Saba says the province of Quebec does not have the right to rule on a currently criminal matter, when changing the law concerning euthanasia.
Carmel Kilkenny spoke with him to find out more about what may become the social issue of the summer in Canada.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.