A coalition of disability rights groups has announced it will challenge a provision of Canada’s law on medical assistance in dying in court under the Charter of Rights.
The coalition, which also includes two individual plaintiffs, argues that the so-called second phase of the Medical Assistance in Dying Act has led to the premature deaths of Canadians who are allegedly resorting to the procedure for the wrong reasons.
Under the law, patients whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable but whose condition causes “unbearable physical or psychological suffering” can now also request medical assistance in dying.
The coalition claims that this second phase of the law has had a direct impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
The organizations actually argue that medical assistance in dying should only be offered to people whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable.
The vice-president of Inclusion Canada, which is part of the coalition, says there is currently an alarming trend of people with disabilities requesting medical assistance in dying due to social deprivation, poverty or a lack of basic supports.
Krista Carr says these people should instead be better supported to enjoy a better life.
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