Citizen editor Neil Godbout criticizes MP Todd Doherty for not making clear his views on the doctor-assisted suicide issue during the election campaign.
This is a good point, however, I am not sure the candidates from other parties had much to say about it either. Godbout tells us the Doherty voted against Bill C-14, the bill that gives direction for medical professionals about under what conditions they may end a life, and mentions that this vote for the MP's was a difficult one and remarks that life and death decisions still have to be made with the best facts available, and the consequences unclear.
I disagree with this statement. Parliament should not put forth an assisted suicide bill allowing doctors to take away a life. Instead, the notwithstanding clause of the Charter should be used which would negate the Supreme Court's decision.
In the National Post, Andrew Coyne tells us about a study done in Belgium and Holland that shows 30 per cent of people being put to death are killed without their consent, in spite of the laws there in place to prevent this.
So why should we not expect a similar situation developing in Canada?
I believe only about two per cent of the world's population live in jurisdictions where doctor-assisted suicide is allowed, yet the Supreme Court unilaterally decided that we in Canada have to join them.
Svend Serup
Prince George
