Calgary case paves way for doctor-assisted deaths

The case of Ms. S., a Calgary woman granted a personal exemption allowing doctors to help her die, is raising questions about barriers to accessing physician-assisted death (PAD) in Alberta.

She says she would like to pass away peacefully adding she doesn’t want to suffer any longer.

The Supreme Court ruled last winter that consenting adults enduring intolerable physical or mental suffering have the right to end their lives with a doctor’s help.

“We had argued in front of the Supreme Court that if you give the federal government more time, it should not come at the expense, and be on the backs, of people who have been suffering and suffering and trapped in that suffering.”

Public opinion on physician-assisted death is requested by the provincial government to assist in developing policies.

In her ruling, Justice Sheilah Martin of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench specifically addressed the role of pharmacists in assisted death, giving protection from Criminal Code charges to the “licensed pharmacist who prepares and provides the medication prescribed by the physician”. Each province and territory is responsible for deciding how, when, and where physician-assisted death will be provided within this context.

“It was hard on my patient”, Dr. Wiebe said of the uncertainty the Calgary woman – known as Ms. S.in a court ruling released this week – faced in her final days.

The woman, who can’t be identified due to a court order, died in Vancover with the help of two doctors.

The degenerative neurological disease destroys motor neutrons and weakens most muscles of the body. She can not swallow liquids and water is pumped into her stomach through a tube.

– A letter the applicant wrote to her lawyer describing her life. But she provided affidavits to the court about her wishes.

Court heard Ms. S plans to have two doctors medically induce her death soon on private property in Vancouver.

It is not known when the woman intends to end her life.