Since the June passage of Bill C-14, some 120 people have undergone euthanasia – but the number may be much higher
by Leo Almazora
The controversial Bill C-14, which permits patients to voluntarily end their lives, was passed into law in June. Since then, an unofficial tally puts the number of individuals that have submitted themselves to euthanasia at around 120, with that number likely much higher.
A recent report by CBC News showed that coroners in Ontario and British Columbia recorded a total of 49 and 46 doctor-assisted deaths, respectively. Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan collectively documented 27 medically assisted deaths.
The rest of the provinces, however, were not able to or refused to divulge the information, stating concerns that it could lead to “infringement of confidentiality or distress for families who may identify with the numbers”.
The total number therefore remains a mystery; Canada’s federal government has not yet started an official tally of assisted suicides, nor have they come up with regulations on what information should be put on record when a person demands a medically assisted death.
“These regulations could include specifying the kind of information to be provided, the body that would analyze the information, and how often reports would be published,” said a spokesperson for Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott.
Based on the numbers obtained by CBC News, only one in ten serious requests are actually entertained since the procedure’s legalization on June 17. “For 10 serious requests that would come forward, only about one of them would proceed towards this intervention,” Dr. Gary Rodin from Toronto's University Health Network said to CBC.
Bill C-14 has put Canada in the company of countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Japan, along with some US states in allowing patients to exercise their right to opt for medically assisted suicide. Canada’s legislation allows euthanasia to be granted to adults for whom “natural death is reasonably foreseeable”, those suffering from “incurable” diseases or disabilities, or patients whose health is in an advanced stage of irreversible decline.”
The bill is being challenged by various groups, who feel it is still too restrictive. The Canadian Bar Association has asked that the scope be expanded to include mature minors, persons with psychiatric illness, and certain dementia sufferers. Various rights groups, politicians, and patients have also bristled at the wording of the law, which currently requires patients to wait for an evaluation from a medical institution before it can approve or deny their application.
Amendments to the current law may take years. Until then, patients’ requests for assistance in shedding their mortal coil will be granted on a cautious case-to-case basis.
Related stories:
Man challenging assisted dying restrictions passes away
Liberals reject “reasonably foreseeable” amendment to death bill
The controversial Bill C-14, which permits patients to voluntarily end their lives, was passed into law in June. Since then, an unofficial tally puts the number of individuals that have submitted themselves to euthanasia at around 120, with that number likely much higher.
A recent report by CBC News showed that coroners in Ontario and British Columbia recorded a total of 49 and 46 doctor-assisted deaths, respectively. Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan collectively documented 27 medically assisted deaths.
The rest of the provinces, however, were not able to or refused to divulge the information, stating concerns that it could lead to “infringement of confidentiality or distress for families who may identify with the numbers”.
The total number therefore remains a mystery; Canada’s federal government has not yet started an official tally of assisted suicides, nor have they come up with regulations on what information should be put on record when a person demands a medically assisted death.
“These regulations could include specifying the kind of information to be provided, the body that would analyze the information, and how often reports would be published,” said a spokesperson for Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott.
Based on the numbers obtained by CBC News, only one in ten serious requests are actually entertained since the procedure’s legalization on June 17. “For 10 serious requests that would come forward, only about one of them would proceed towards this intervention,” Dr. Gary Rodin from Toronto's University Health Network said to CBC.
Bill C-14 has put Canada in the company of countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Japan, along with some US states in allowing patients to exercise their right to opt for medically assisted suicide. Canada’s legislation allows euthanasia to be granted to adults for whom “natural death is reasonably foreseeable”, those suffering from “incurable” diseases or disabilities, or patients whose health is in an advanced stage of irreversible decline.”
The bill is being challenged by various groups, who feel it is still too restrictive. The Canadian Bar Association has asked that the scope be expanded to include mature minors, persons with psychiatric illness, and certain dementia sufferers. Various rights groups, politicians, and patients have also bristled at the wording of the law, which currently requires patients to wait for an evaluation from a medical institution before it can approve or deny their application.
Amendments to the current law may take years. Until then, patients’ requests for assistance in shedding their mortal coil will be granted on a cautious case-to-case basis.
Related stories:
Man challenging assisted dying restrictions passes away
Liberals reject “reasonably foreseeable” amendment to death bill
