Euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada

Nicol, Julia. (Author). Tiedemann, Marlisa. (Added Author). Valiquet, Dominique. (Added Author). Canada. Library of Parliament. (Added Author). Canada. Parliamentary Information and Research Service. (Added Author).

Summary: Because of advances in medical treatment, people are now able to live longer and to delay death. But the ability to live longer often entails a diminished quality of life for those who suffer from degenerative or incurable diseases. The desire to achieve greater control over decisions relating to life and death has been fuelled by a number of factors, including: the desire to be spared from prolonged suffering; the increased incidence of seriously debilitating diseases such as AIDS and Alzheimer?s disease; and a better understanding of how medical technology can prolong life and affect the dying process. These factors fostered an interest in euthanasia and cessation of medical treatment. More recently, the focus seems to have moved to quality end-of-life care, but that is a health care issue beyond the scope of this paper.

Record details

Physical Description: electronic resource
remote
1 electronic text (27 p.) : digital file.
Edition: Rev. 3 Dec. 2010.
Publisher: Ottawa : Library of Parliament, 2010.

Content descriptions

General Note:	Distributed by the Government of Canada Depository Services Program (Weekly checklist 2010-51). Issued also in French under title: L'euthanasie et l'aide au suicide au Canada.
Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references.
Formatted Contents Note:	Issue Definition -- Background and Analysis -- Historical Background -- Legal Issues -- The Criminal Code and Euthanasia -- The Criminal Code and Aiding Suicide -- Other Cases in Canada -- The Right to Refuse Medical Treatment -- Advance Directives -- Reports, Policies and Consultations -- Parliamentary Action -- Chronology.
Type of Computer File or Data Note:	Electronic monograph in PDF format.
System Details Note:	Mode of acess: World Wide Web.
Issuing Body Note:	Issued by: Parliamentary Information and Research Service.