Canada’s highest court rules in favour of assisted suicide

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favour of allowing assisted suicide under certain conditions across the country’s provinces while giving the federal government four months to draft a law on its use.

Previously, the High Court had given the Canadian Parliament a year to decide how and when doctor-assisted suicide would be allowed after it overturned a ban on the practice last February.

However, the work went off schedule as a result of the general election in October and the installation of a new government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Justice Minister requested for the decision to be suspended for an additional six months.

The court granted an extension of four months on Friday, saying doctors be allowed to assist in the deaths of patients in Quebec which implemented its own laws last month. It added, however, that people outside of Quebec could apply to their provincial superior court for judicial authorisation “to those who wish to exercise their rights”.