Close X
Saturday, November 16, 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

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver to announce Employment Insurance premium cut Thursday

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver to announce Employment Insurance premium cut Thursday
    There's a report that the Harper government will announce on Thursday that it's lowering Employment Insurance premiums.

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver to announce Employment Insurance premium cut Thursday

    Calgary Mayor Nenshi 'Shocked' By Damage From Heavy Summer Snow

    Calgary Mayor Nenshi 'Shocked' By Damage From Heavy Summer Snow
    Commuters needed hours to get to work, snow-laden tree branches groaned and snapped and thousands of people were without power Wednesday after a second major taste of winter hit Calgary with 10 days to go before summer's end.

    Calgary Mayor Nenshi 'Shocked' By Damage From Heavy Summer Snow

    Doer: Alberta Premier-designate Jim Prentice Will Have Clout In Washington

    Doer: Alberta Premier-designate Jim Prentice Will Have Clout In Washington
    Canada's ambassador to the United States says Alberta premier-designate Jim Prentice carries a lot of clout in Washington, where a parade of top federal and provincial officials have stumped in recent years for the long-stalled Keystone XL pipeline.

    Doer: Alberta Premier-designate Jim Prentice Will Have Clout In Washington

    Muclair Says Scottish Referendum Result Must Be Respected But Won't Take Sides

    Muclair Says Scottish Referendum Result Must Be Respected But Won't Take Sides
    Tom Mulcair is refusing to take sides in the nailbiter referendum on Scottish independence. But however it turns out, the NDP leader says the result will have to be respected.

    Muclair Says Scottish Referendum Result Must Be Respected But Won't Take Sides

    Bodies Of Man And Woman Found In Home But Police Not Looking For Suspects

    Bodies Of Man And Woman Found In Home But Police Not Looking For Suspects
    Two bodies have been found in a home in the northern Vancouver Island community of Port Alice.

    Bodies Of Man And Woman Found In Home But Police Not Looking For Suspects

    Unions Chide Government, Offer Financial Support To Cash-strapped B.C. Teachers

    Unions Chide Government, Offer Financial Support To Cash-strapped B.C. Teachers
    Biology teacher Marc Carmichael has gone on strike three times over his 20-year career in British Columbia's public-school system and he estimates losses of at least $5,000 per fight.

    Unions Chide Government, Offer Financial Support To Cash-strapped B.C. Teachers