Assisted Suicide in Canada

Book excerpt: In 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the criminal laws prohibiting assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia in its Carter v Canada ruling. Yet debate on this controversial subject continues. Assisted Suicide in Canada delves into the moral and policy dimensions of this case, summarizing previous federal and provincial rulings on medical assistance in dying (MAID), as well as explaining subsequent legislation. Travis Dumsday engages in an accessible yet nuanced exploration of the most significant ethical arguments and unravels related legal and policy debates. Thorny issues such as freedom of conscience for health care professionals, public funding for MAID, and extensions of eligibility are dealt with thoughtfully and clearly. Carter v Canada will alter Canadians’ common understanding of life, death, and the practice of medicine for generations. Assisted Suicide in Canada provides readers with the tools to think through the fundamental legal, ethical, and policy issues surrounding assisted dying.