Assisted Suicide: Carter V. Canada

In this essay I will be discussing how assisted suicide became legal in Canada, by examining the development, history, current status, my prediction and my opinion of assisted suicide. In Carter v. Canada, discusses the development of how assisted suicide became legal in Canada, for patients who were adults and suffering from a disease. Before this case, under “section 241(b) of the criminal code says that everyone who aids or abets a person in committing suicide commits an indictable offence, and s.14 says that no person may consent to death being inflicted on them” (Carter v. Canada). Thus, assisted suicide was not allowed or permitted in Canada. However, the Carter case by Gloria Taylor brought the issue of assisted suicide to “the British …show more content…
Furthermore, there had been past cases, as stated in this case, which tried to make assisted suicide legal. However, the court was uncertain if it had to upheld its decision from past cases concerning assisted suicide, as noticed by this case. Consequently, the supreme court changed its mind relating to this issue, because the Carter case had “a new legal issue… raised; and there is a change in the circumstances” (Carter). Moreover, the Carter case viewed section seven differently then past cases and there were different facts (Carter). Furthermore, as noted by this case, assisted suicide is now legal in Canada; however, there are some restrictions; the person must be an adult and have an irremediable condition which continues to make them suffer, entitled to protect people who have a disability and want to live, and any doctor can refuse to administer assisted suicide because of their beliefs. Finally, because of the Carter case, assisted suicide is now legal in Canada allowing people to control their body and death without …show more content…
Furthermore, this case was brought to the court in the month of March 2016 concerning an Ontario man who was diagnosed with “advanced stages of aggressive lymphoma” (CBC News par.2). Thus, this man was undergoing physical and mental pain and had to get permission by the court in order to receive assisted suicide, as stated by CBC News. Furthermore, the man was allowed to die with assistance, as explained in this article. Nonetheless, I predict that in order for a patient to receive assisted suicide they will need permission by the federal and provincial government, as viewed by this paragraph. The government has stated that they will allow assisted suicide on February 2016, yet people are asking to receive assistance. Therefore, I believe the government is wanting to make sure that the people who are inquiring assistance meet the