Supreme Court Gives Federal Government 4 Months to Pass Assisted Suicide Law

The federal government now has more time to decide on new assisted suicide laws.

Originally, they had asked for a six month extension, but on Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada granted them four.

In a transcript from the latest judgment, the Supreme Court justified their decision.

“We do not underestimate the agony of those who continue to be denied access to the help that they need to end their suffering,” it states. “However, neither do we underestimate the complexity of the issues that surround the fundamental question of when it should be lawful to commit acts that would otherwise constitute criminal conduct.”

“The complexity results not only from the profound moral and ethical dimensions of the question, but also from the overlapping federal and provincial legislative competence in relation to it,” they continued. “The Court unanimously held in its judgment on the merits that these are matters most appropriately addressed by the legislative process. We remain of that view.”

“That the legislative process needs more time is regrettable, but it does not undermine the point that it is the best way to address this issue.”

The federal government originally requested an extension on December 3^rd.

The motion was heard on Monday, but they did not come to a decision on the extension.

The case on assisted suicide is known as Carter v. the Attorney General of Canada.

Kay Carter, and later Gloria Taylor, who was a West Kelowna resident, are some of the people who have stood up in name of doctor-assisted death. Both of them suffered from painful and worsening diseases which they died from.

They had joined with the other appellants in bringing a civil claim before the British Columbia Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Criminal Code provisions against assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Their case is particularly focused on one aspect of this issue, the fact that helping someone commit suicide is still illegal.

Now, it is up to the Government of Canada to make a decision on whether that will change.