SFU City Conversations: Your Right to Your Life

Thursday, 07 Apr 2016, 12:30 PM
Room 7000
SFU Vancouver at Harbour Centre
515 W. Hastings St.
(Follow the signs, and take the elevator to the 7th floor)
(map)

Last year, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Canadians suffering grievous and irremediable health conditions have the right to end their life, and have a physician assist them in doing so. Quebec has already passed rules for doing this. By June, the Federal government will set the rules for the rest of Canada. What should those rules be? What protections should they provide so that this most intimate of life’s events is not abused? How do we respect the wishes of those who want to participate, and those who do not? What are the duties of physicians, and what happens when their duty bumps against their personal or religious beliefs?

Many people resist thinking about this issue until they’re forced to. Then, under great emotional stress, they often make decisions that aren’t right for them or for their loved ones. To help us face the inevitable with compassion and understanding, we’ve invited Sue Hughson, a Board member of Dying with Dignity Canada; Dr. Ellen Weibe, the Vancouver physician who last month oversaw Canada’s first court-sanctioned physician assisted death; and Prof. Judy Illes, the Canada Research Chair in Neuroethics at UBC.

Registration is not required but seating is limited. Please try to arrive early to ensure a seat.

Image via Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)