In 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the criminal laws prohibiting assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia. Parliament then implemented this ruling on medical assistance in dying (MAID) via Bill C-14, enshrining it in law. Yet debate on this controversial subject has continued. Assisted Suicide in Canada delves into key federal and provincial court rulings on MAID from 1993 to 2015 and explains subsequent legislative history. Travis Dumsday engages in an accessible yet nuanced exploration of the most significant ethical arguments - pro and con - and unravels the related legal and policy disputes. He delves into key federal and provincial court rulings on MAID from 1993 to 2015 and explains subsequent legislative history. Thorny issues such as freedom of conscience for health care professionals, public funding for MAID, and proposed extensions of eligibility are dealt with thoughtfully and clearly. The legalization of MAID will affect the lives, deaths, and attitudes of Canadians for generations to come.
Assisted Suicide in Canada offers a balanced, up-to-date introduction to the topic, providing readers with the tools to think through fundamental legal, ethical, and policy issues surrounding assisted dying.