It’s time to talk about assisted suicide: Ontario health minister

TORONTO – Ontario’s health minister says it’s time for Canadians and their leaders to talk about assisted suicide and end-of-life care.

Deb Matthews says it’s a topic that will likely come up when provincial, federal and territorial health ministers meet next week.

She says it’s a federal decision about whether to make it legal, but it also affects provinces who are responsible for health care.

The controversial subject has resurfaced after the doctor who shepherded Toronto through the 2003 SARS crisis made a videotaped appeal prior to his death.

Dr. Donald Low asked for Canada to legalize assisted suicide and let people die with dignity.

The emotional video was shot eight days before his death from a brain tumour last week at age 68.