Judge halts euthanasia of autistic woman in Canada… for now

The euthanasia of a 27-year-old physically healthy woman in Calgary has been halted, with a Canadian judge issuing an injunction pending the result of an appeal from her father.

In March, a father began fighting to save his daughter’s life. The father, identified as W.V., says his daughter, M.V., was approved by two doctors for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), even though she is physically well. Her death had initially been scheduled for February 1, until W.V. intervened. “M.V. suffers from autism and possibly other undiagnosed maladies that do not satisfy the eligibility criteria for MAID,” he told the judge.

But M.V. is fighting for the chance to die. “She’s saying ‘it’s none of [W.V.’s] or the public’s business, I’ve been approved by two doctors, I am entitled to this and, court, it’s none of your business either.’”

M.V.’s lawyer, Austin Paladeau, added, “I represent [M.V.], I don’t want her to die either but that doesn’t play into account here. Even though we have or may have very strong views… at the end of the day this is [M.V.’s] decision.”

A judge initially agreed with Paladeau. Justice Colin Feasby acknowledged that his daughter’s death would cause W.V. “profound grief,” but he said M.V.’s ‘right to die’ was more important.

READ: Doctor wants D.C.’s assisted suicide law repealed: A ‘right to die’ soon creates a ‘duty to die’

“M.V.’s dignity and right to self-determination outweighs the important matters raised by W.V. and the harm that he will suffer in losing M.V.,” Feasby wrote. “Though I find that W.V. has raised serious issues, I conclude that M.V.’s autonomy and dignity interests outweigh competing considerations.”

But now, another judge has overruled him. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, which is expected to participate in the father’s appeal, reported that Justice Anne Kirker issued an injunction against the woman’s death until the appeal is heard, which is expected to be in October.

Since legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia, Canada has quickly become notorious for its liberal application of MAID. Doctors have approved people’s deaths for numerous reasons, including poverty, housing issues, or inability to access timely health care.

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