Close X
Saturday, November 16, 2024
ADVT 
National

Manitoba Patient Wants Court To Grant Doctor-Assisted Death, Anonymity

The Canadian Press, 15 Mar, 2016 11:36 AM
    WINNIPEG — An unnamed Manitoba patient is going to court for the right to die with the help of a doctor. 
     
    Court documents show the patient wants a constitutional exemption for a physician-assisted death because of two grievous medical conditions that are causing suffering.
     
    The Supreme Court has ruled that anyone who wants an assisted death before the federal government enacts a new law can apply to a judge.
     
    The documents say the patient has the capacity to make an informed decision and is physically incapable of hastening death without a doctor's help.
     
    The patient is also seeking a publication ban that would include the names of all health-care workers involved.
     
    A hearing on the ban was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
     
    The application says doctors who are willing to help the patient die are reluctant to do so if their identities are not protected.
     
    "It could be very harmful to other vulnerable and mentally ill patients that are treated by the respondent physicians and may impair the physicians' therapeutic relationship with their patients," says the patient's application.
     
    The patient's family is also concerned about privacy.
     
    "If the names of the applicant and the applicant's family are made public, the applicant may not be able to spend their remaining days in private and die with dignity surrounded by their family," the application states.
     
    "The applicant and the applicant's spouse are afraid they will be contacted or harassed by individuals or groups opposed to the applicant's decision to end their life with the assistance of a physician."
     
    The application notes that an Alberta court has already allowed a physician-assisted death and granted a publication ban. Last week, the Ontario court ordered the identity of an 80-year-old man seeking a doctor-assisted death, along with the names of his family and any doctors involved, be kept secret.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    U.S. Duty-Free Exemption For Online Purchases Is Now More Than 40 Times Canada's

    U.S. Duty-Free Exemption For Online Purchases Is Now More Than 40 Times Canada's
    Last week President Barack Obama signed a bill vastly expanding the duty-free exemption for products imported by mail — the new US$800 limit quadruples the previous amount, which was already multiple times higher than Canada's C$20 exemption.

    U.S. Duty-Free Exemption For Online Purchases Is Now More Than 40 Times Canada's

    Orca Calf Born To Endangered B.C. Population Is Missing, Presumed Dead

    Orca Calf Born To Endangered B.C. Population Is Missing, Presumed Dead
    The U.S.-based Center for Whale Research says the orca calf, named J55, is missing and presumed dead.

    Orca Calf Born To Endangered B.C. Population Is Missing, Presumed Dead

    Man Serving 3-Year Sentence For Stanley Cup Riot Dies In New Westminster Hospital

    William Fisher was sentenced on Feb. 19 to three years in prison after being found guilty on a series of charges including taking part in a riot, aggravated assault and break and enter.

    Man Serving 3-Year Sentence For Stanley Cup Riot Dies In New Westminster Hospital

    As B.C. Hydro Reworks Estimates, Utility Seeks 4 Per Cent Interim Rate Hike

    As B.C. Hydro Reworks Estimates, Utility Seeks 4 Per Cent Interim Rate Hike
    BC Hydro is calling for an interim, one-year rate increase of four per cent, adding about $4 a month to residential power bills.

    As B.C. Hydro Reworks Estimates, Utility Seeks 4 Per Cent Interim Rate Hike

    B.C. Judge Clears Asbestos Contractor Of Contempt, Says Workplace Law Too Vague

    B.C. Judge Clears Asbestos Contractor Of Contempt, Says Workplace Law Too Vague
    Judge ruled that Seattle Environmental Consulting Ltd. owner Mike Singh and his son Shawn Singh are not in contempt of court after WorkSafeBC complained the pair didn't follow workplace regulations designed to prevent exposure to asbestos.

    B.C. Judge Clears Asbestos Contractor Of Contempt, Says Workplace Law Too Vague

    CEO Tim Cook Defends Apple's Resistance In FBI iPhone Case

    CEO Tim Cook Defends Apple's Resistance In FBI iPhone Case
    "We do these because these are the right things to do," Cook said in a brief reference to the company's privacy stance in the case.

    CEO Tim Cook Defends Apple's Resistance In FBI iPhone Case