Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

New Video Shows Late Activist Pleading For Change To Assisted Dying Rules

The Canadian Press, 06 Feb, 2019 08:37 PM

    HALIFAX — A new national campaign is honouring a Halifax woman who ended her life with medical assistance — and lobbying the federal government to amend Canada's assisted dying rules.


    Audrey Parker died with medical assistance on Nov. 1, two years after she had been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.


    On Wednesday, Dying With Dignity Canada released a video message that Parker recorded just three days before she died.


    In the three-minute clip, Parker urges Canadians to speak out for the rights of suffering Canadians who have been approved for medical assistance in dying.


    "I'm grateful to live in Canada, a country where I can choose my death. But the law has forced me to play a cruel game of chicken," Parker said.


    "I would like nothing more than to make it to Christmas, but if I become incompetent along the way, I will lose out on my choice of a beautiful, peaceful and, best of all, pain-free death."


    The group is calling on federal lawmakers to change a provision requiring people to confirm their wish for assisted dying immediately before the procedure is provided.


    The group's CEO, Shanaaz Gokool, said the late consent rule leads some people to end their lives before they are ready, out of fear they will lose capacity to give permission.


    She said others refuse proper pain care at end of life to ensure they're alert enough to confirm their request for medical assistance in dying.


    "No one should ever have to choose between spending a few more days or weeks with their loved ones and their right to a peaceful, assisted death," Gokool said.


    "Without the ability to waive the late-stage consent requirement, vulnerable Canadians face a clear, grave threat to their rights. We call on the government to pass Audrey's Amendment and correct this injustice without delay."


    The group has launched a petition to lobby the government for changes.


    Last month, newly appointed Justice Minister David Lametti, said he's interested in hearing proposals concerning late-stage consent.


    "I'm interested in watching what happens and what is proposed but I won't commit the government to doing anything more than that," he said.


    Still, Lametti's stance is much different than the previous justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould, who ruled out any changes to the law.


    The law is currently facing two constitutional challenges, one in Quebec and the other in British Columbia, from Canadians with degenerative diseases who contend the foreseeable-death requirement unfairly excludes them.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Bruce McArthur Pleads Guilty To Eight Counts Of First-Degree Murder

    Bruce McArthur, 67, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder in the deaths of eight men who went missing between 2010 and 2017.

    Bruce McArthur Pleads Guilty To Eight Counts Of First-Degree Murder

    Canada Looks To Ensure Safety Of Christian Asia Bibi Acquitted Of Blasphemy In Pakistan

    Canada Looks To Ensure Safety Of Christian Asia Bibi Acquitted Of Blasphemy In Pakistan
    OTTAWA — Canada's foreign ministry says it is prepared to do everything it can to ensure the safety of a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy by Pakistan's top court.    

    Canada Looks To Ensure Safety Of Christian Asia Bibi Acquitted Of Blasphemy In Pakistan

    After Months Of Back-And-Forth, Montreal MP Di Iorio Resigns For Real

    OTTAWA — House of Commons Speaker Geoff Regan says a Liberal MP from Montreal who has been promising to resign for months has now vacated his seat.    

    After Months Of Back-And-Forth, Montreal MP Di Iorio Resigns For Real

    New Trial For Man Who Killed Roommate Over Alleged Relationship With Teen

    New Trial For Man Who Killed Roommate Over Alleged Relationship With Teen
    A new trial has been ordered for an Ontario man who beat his roommate to death with a hammer in a drunken confrontation over the other man's alleged sexual relationship with a teenage girl.    

    New Trial For Man Who Killed Roommate Over Alleged Relationship With Teen

    Mountie Who Investigated 'Surrey Six' Gang Murders Pleads Guilty In B.C. Court

    Mountie Who Investigated 'Surrey Six' Gang Murders Pleads Guilty In B.C. Court
    A primary investigator in British Columbia's largest gang-related mass murder has pleaded guilty to failing to maintain law and order under the RCMP Act.  

    Mountie Who Investigated 'Surrey Six' Gang Murders Pleads Guilty In B.C. Court

    Freedom Capital : Another Choice for Financing

    Whether you are a first-time buyer, suffering from a business or personal financial downfall, or aspiring entrepreneur, seeking a bank’s help may be your first choice but it might not always be the best option.

    Freedom Capital : Another Choice for Financing