Close X
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canadians suffering at the end of their lives need top court's help, lawyer says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Oct, 2014 10:35 AM

    OTTAWA - A lawyer set to argue at the Supreme Court of Canada this week for the right to assisted suicide says it would be a travesty if politicians simply ignore the issue.

    Grace Pastine of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association says suffering Canadians are asking for the top court's help to change the current laws.

    Should the Supreme Court agree that today's rules violate the Constitution, it could give Parliament time to write new laws.

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday he has no intention of reopening the debate, noting that it has been before Parliament in the past.

    Several bills that would allow for assisted suicide have come before the House of Commons over the last two decades but none has ever made it very far.

    Still, Harper says the government is watching the case with great interest.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Parti Quebecois to announce rules for leadership race on Sept. 27

    Parti Quebecois to announce rules for leadership race on Sept. 27
    The rules for the next Parti Quebecois leadership race will be announced on Sept. 27 in Sherbrooke.

    Parti Quebecois to announce rules for leadership race on Sept. 27

    Quebec Premier Couillard to lead first trade mission to China in October

    Quebec Premier Couillard to lead first trade mission to China in October
    Premier Philippe Couillard is heading to China in October for his first economic mission abroad.

    Quebec Premier Couillard to lead first trade mission to China in October

    Fish safe, water ban near B.C. mine tailings spill mostly lifted

    Fish safe, water ban near B.C. mine tailings spill mostly lifted
    Health officials in B.C. have lifted most of a water ban that was put in place following a massive mine tailings spill, while also declaring fish from the area are safe to eat.

    Fish safe, water ban near B.C. mine tailings spill mostly lifted

    B.C. Securities Commission says B.C. man targeted seniors in $65 million fraud

    B.C. Securities Commission says B.C. man targeted seniors in $65 million fraud
    The British Columbia Securities Commission has found a Vancouver Island man committed a $65-million fraud on almost 500 clients, many of them senior citizens.

    B.C. Securities Commission says B.C. man targeted seniors in $65 million fraud

    RCMP believe two sought in alleged $7M investment fraud have fled country

    RCMP believe two sought in alleged $7M investment fraud have fled country
    The RCMP says two Toronto residents charged in an alleged $7-million investment scam are believed to have fled the country.

    RCMP believe two sought in alleged $7M investment fraud have fled country

    Supporters light up as 'Prince of Pot' returns to Canada after U.S. sentence

    Supporters light up as 'Prince of Pot' returns to Canada after U.S. sentence
    Canada's self-styled "Prince of Pot" returned to a raucous welcome from supporters Tuesday after serving his U.S. sentence for selling marijuana seeds, vowing to continue his activism even if it means more arrests.

    Supporters light up as 'Prince of Pot' returns to Canada after U.S. sentence