“I feel that my time has come to go in peace”.
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Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down a ban on physician-assisted dying in cases where a competent adult with a terminal medical condition that causes them enduring, intolerable suffering has given their clear consent.
Justice Sheilah Martin says the woman – who can not be named – is constitutionally entitled to mobility rights, and says she is satisfied she has the “jurisdiction to hear this application and to grant a permissive and protective order” under the woman’s charter rights.
“I am not suffering from anxiety or depression or fear of death”, the woman said in her court application. “We need input not just from legal and medical experts, but also from patients, families and caregivers”, said Brandy Payne associate minister of health.
The province has put out an online survey to get your thoughts on doctor assisted death.
“Her suffering, her personal story, why the choice for physician-assisted death at this point – [it was] so important to her. It really focuses on personal autonomy”.
Due to the degenerative neurological disease, the woman can not speak.
The Alberta government has set up a committee to solicit feedback from people as it begins consultations on physician-assisted death in the province after a recent Supreme Court ruling.
“It’s a precedent for other jurisdictions and for other patients who want to know how to go about seeking access in this interim period, ‘ said Guichon”. And she clearly wanted to end her life.
The woman had no children and her husband acted as her main caregiver.
Court heard that Ms. S is a retired clinical psychologist and former award-winning dancer who was active before her diagnosis in 2013.
Martin further ruled that Ms. S, while required to make the application in her home province, could die anywhere in Canada.
“I don’t think many people will use it… but for those who desperately want it, I think it should be available as the courts have ruled and we now need to sort out the details of how that can be most fairly and transparently done”, he added.
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Meanwhile, Alberta Health is working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services on this issue.
