In a press release, DWDC says it cannot support Bill C-14 because it does not comply with the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Carter v. Canada and will violate the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom.
DWDC CEO Shanaaz Gokool said in the release, “The proposed bill will disqualify many of the suffering Canadians that the Supreme Court of Canada had intended to help with its unanimous Carter decision. As a result, we’re making a call to action that would have been inconceivable to us even two months ago. Under the direction of our Board, we’re asking MPs to say ‘Yes’ to Carter and ‘No’ to Bill C-14.”
The Criminal Code prohibition on medical assistance in dying remains in effect until June 6, 2016 or until legislation is passed in Parliament and comes into effect. The bill is already facing criticism by the Alberta Court of Appeal which ruled that the bill was disregarding the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling by allowing only those that are close to death be eligible, reports the CBC. The bill also excludes those who suffer from psychiatric conditions alone.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, in defense of the bill, told the CBC, “We are legislating for 36 million people in this country and we believe that the regime we put forward is the right balance, having regard for personal autonomy, having regard to ensuring, as much as we can, the protection of the vulnerable. That this is the best first step. This is not the end of the conversation.”
