Advertisement

B.C. woman granted permission for assisted death

A chronically ill woman who fought for doctor assisted death in Ontario has now died.
A chronically ill woman who fought for doctor assisted death in Ontario has now died. File

VANCOUVER – A British Columbia woman living with multiple sclerosis has become the first in the province to be granted a court exemption to have a doctor help her die.

B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson says in his written ruling that the woman, known in court documents as A.A., is experiencing intolerable pain and her suffering is unbearable for much longer.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

A decision in February by the Supreme Court of Canada gave the federal government until June 6 to come up with assisted-dying legislation, but said patients could apply to a judge for an exemption in the meantime.

Hinkson’s ruling says the woman meets all of the requirements for an exemption, including competence, consent and a lack of treatment options available.

The judgment allows Dr. Ellen Wiebe to provide A.A. with a voluntary lethal injection on or before May 4, 2016.

Story continues below advertisement

Wiebe helped a Calgary woman living with ALS end her life in February, and has been a vocal advocate for assisted-dying legislation.

Hinkson’s ruling exempts Wiebe, two un-named registered nurses and two un-named registered pharmacists from being prosecuted in A.A.’s death.

Sponsored content

AdChoices