PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF CANADA, draw the attention of the House to the following: THAT section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada states: Everyone who: a) counsels a person to commit suicide, or b) aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years. THAT the Supreme Court of Canada in 1993 upheld s.241 in the Rodriguez decision, finding no Charter right to suicide, and stated that s.241�s purpose is �the protection of the vulnerable who might be induced in moments of weakness to commit suicide. This purpose is grounded in the state interest in protecting life and reflects the policy of the state that human life should not be depreciated by allowing life to be taken....[which] is part of our fundamental conception of the sanctity of human life.� THAT if s.241 were to be struck down or amended, such protection would no longer exist and vulnerable Canadians-including people with disabilities, the elderly, people who experience depression, etc.-might feel an implied pressure or inducement to end their lives; THAT the Canadian Medical Association opposes assisted suicide and euthanasia and calls for suicide prevention programs to be strengthened where necessary and urges its members to educate themselves in and uphold the principles of palliative care; THEREFORE your Petitioners call upon Parliament to retain s.241 of the Criminal Code without changes in order that Parliament NOT sanction or allow the counselling, aiding, or abetting of suicide, whether by personal action or the internet.

Sponsor

Links