Canada seeks to legalise doctor-assisted suicide

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced legislation last week that would legalise doctor-assisted suicide for Canadian citizens. 

The bill will be voted on but is expected to pass. 

The proposed law would allow patients with a "serious and incurable illness" which brings "enduring physical or psychological suffering", to end their lives aided by a doctor. 

Similar laws have already passed in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany, as well a small number of US states. 
 

Only available to Canadian citizens

Currently, those who aid or abet a suicide in Canada may face up to 14 years in prison. The country's previous government had opposed any liberalisation to the law. 

Under the proposals, only Canadian citizens will be able to request an assisted suicide, in an effort to prevent 'suicide tourism', whereby citizens from the United States or elsewhere would travel to Canada to end their lives.

The law also stipulates that the person must be 18 or older, mentally competent, have a serious and incurable disease, illness or disability and be in an advanced state of irreversible decline in capability.
 

Risk of 'slippery slope'

Despite this, the plans have been met with some opposition, with some Liberal Party members stating they will not back the bill as it conflicts with their religious convictions. 

Additionally, despite ostensibly strict euthanasia laws in Belgium and the Netherlands, several cases have emerged of patients being euthanised for conditions such as depression and even one case of heartbreak.

This raises concerns of a similar pattern occurring in Canada should the bill pass. 

In the UK, a bill to legalise assisted suicide was defeated by a strong majority last September.

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