Euthanasia in Canada
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Euthanasia in Canada: Issues and Arguments
Intro To Criminology 1150-005
Word Count - 1657
1
Euthanasia in Canada has been a big issue, both morally and politically in Canada over the past couple years. Different groups argue that euthanasia is a basic human right, whereas opposing groups argue contradictory to that, saying it is not. There have been quite a few legal battles over the right of euthanasia due to this difference in views in Canada -Rodriguez V. BC & Latimer Case-. All cases in Canada however have been shot down by the Justice system in very close votes; the Rodriguez case is a great example in which it missed by 1 vote in a 5-4 decision. Euthanasia in Canada is currently illegal; so any form of assisted suicide, doctor assisted suicide or pushing someone towards suicide will mean jail time and other reprimands. Any doctor caught counselling suicide or assisting in the act, would have their licence revoked, and face time behind bars. It is illegal, due to our adaptation of parts of the British legal system; which in part took its values from religion -mainly Christianity- (Butler, 2013). The part of the Criminal Code of Canada that bans Euthanasia is section 241(b). Section 241(b) states that “Every one who …. aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years” (Criminal Code, 1985, p. 241). Section 14 also states that, “No person is entitled to consent to have death inflicted on him, and such consent does not affect the criminal responsibility of any person by whom death may be inflicted on the person by whom consent is given.” (Criminal Code, 1985, p. 14). In short, you cannot kill another person even if they consent to it. People who commit acts of Euthanasia will not always get charged with first degree murder though.
Euthanasia in Canada: Issues and Arguments
Intro To Criminology 1150-005
Word Count - 1657
1
Euthanasia in Canada has been a big issue, both morally and politically in Canada over the past couple years. Different groups argue that euthanasia is a basic human right, whereas opposing groups argue contradictory to that, saying it is not. There have been quite a few legal battles over the right of euthanasia due to this difference in views in Canada -Rodriguez V. BC & Latimer Case-. All cases in Canada however have been shot down by the Justice system in very close votes; the Rodriguez case is a great example in which it missed by 1 vote in a 5-4 decision. Euthanasia in Canada is currently illegal; so any form of assisted suicide, doctor assisted suicide or pushing someone towards suicide will mean jail time and other reprimands. Any doctor caught counselling suicide or assisting in the act, would have their licence revoked, and face time behind bars. It is illegal, due to our adaptation of parts of the British legal system; which in part took its values from religion -mainly Christianity- (Butler, 2013). The part of the Criminal Code of Canada that bans Euthanasia is section 241(b). Section 241(b) states that “Every one who …. aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years” (Criminal Code, 1985, p. 241). Section 14 also states that, “No person is entitled to consent to have death inflicted on him, and such consent does not affect the criminal responsibility of any person by whom death may be inflicted on the person by whom consent is given.” (Criminal Code, 1985, p. 14). In short, you cannot kill another person even if they consent to it. People who commit acts of Euthanasia will not always get charged with first degree murder though.