Opponents of Bill 52 call dying-with-dignity legislation ‘a slap in the face’

MONTREAL – Lisa D’Amico has been using a walker to get around for more than 20 years.

She suffers from a form of cerebral palsy — a disorder that’s affected every part of her body.

“My quality of life is next to nothing,” the 48-year-old D’Amico told Global News.

“But before I die I want to fight ’til the very end.”

Despite her situation, the Montreal resident will tell you she loves life and battles every day to get better.

Today, D’Amico is furious with the Quebec government and their new Bill 52.

It allows Quebecers with incurable illnesses the right to ask a doctor for help to end his or her life.

“I think it’s a slap in my face,” D’Amico says.

She recently filed a legal motion in Quebec Superior Court requesting the law be scrapped as soon as possible.

Dr. Paul Saba, from the Coalition of Physicians for Social Justice, is the co-plaintiff in the case.

He says Bill 52 encourages Quebec doctors to do things against their own professional code.

“We’re there to provide medical care,” Dr. Saba notes.

“We’re there to treat, to improve the well-being of a patient and to relieve suffering.”

At the West Island Palliative Care Residence, there is also strong opposition.

Spokesperson Joanne Myers says the centre will not offer end-of-life care services to its residents.

“We will take the option to opt out of Bill 52,” Myers says.

“We will not provide that kind of assistance, so they would have to be transferred if they wanted it, we will not do it.”

Lisa D’Amico and her lawyer will be in court next month.

She hopes the federal goverment does the same and challenges Bill 52 all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.

“The Prime Minister should be concerned about how we live on a daily basis,” D’Amico says.

“They should not be promoting euthanasia.”