Video: Canada’s health ministers have been questioned about assisted suicide, but feds won’t change stance. Mike Drolet reports.
TORONTO – Health Minister Rona Ambrose says provinces and territories have the right to discuss assisted suicide in their legislatures, but Ottawa’s position on the issue won’t change.
Ambrose made the comments at a conference of health ministers in Toronto, where the emotionally charged subject was discussed.
Get weekly health news
Calling it a “divisive” issue, Ambrose said Parliament already discussed the issue in 2010 when it voted against the legalization of assisted suicide.
Related: Donald Low urges Canadians to legalize assisted suicide in posthumous message
Several health ministers have said there should be a national discussion about the subject, but wouldn’t say whether assisted suicide should be legalized.
Assisted suicide has been debated for decades, but the taboo topic resurfaced recently after a prominent doctor made an impassioned, videotaped appeal to legalize it just a few days before his death.
Dr. Donald Low, who guided Toronto through the 2003 SARS crisis, asked that Canada allow people to die with dignity, eight days before he died from a brain tumour at age 68.
- Canadian Tire ordered to pay nearly $1.3 million for false advertising
- Jivani’s trip to Washington has some Conservative MPs scratching their heads
- Why Canadian beer cans are ‘almost impossible’ as tariffs near 1-year mark
- ‘Doesn’t make sense’: Union files labour complaint over federal 4-day in-office mandate
-
![]()
Truck driver who caused Humboldt Broncos bus crash loses bid to stay in Canada as refugee -
![]()
Deportation hearing for suspected high-ranking Iranian official living in Canada held behind closed doors -
![]()
Some American booze returning to SAQ shelves -
![]()
Calgary man feels targeted after home vandalized several times within a week
Comments