Appeal court upholds federal ban on assisted suicide

It was announced today the B.C. Court of Appeal is upholding the federal ban on doctor assisted suicide, thus overturning the B.C. Supreme Court's decision.

The appeal court decision was split, with two of three judges ruling to uphold the Supreme Court's decision of 1993, banning assisted suicide.

Last year, Gloria Taylor an ALS patient from West Kelowna, stood before a judge who concluded the Criminal Code provisions that prohibit assisted suicide violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But the victory was short-lived, with the Federal Government appealing the ruling, saying the original law protects vulnerable people. Taylor has since died of the ailment.

LINKS:

Assisted Suicide Appeal To Be Heard In BC Court – The Canadian Press

Euthanasia Ban Like Torture, BC Appeal Court Hears – The Canadian Press