Calgary woman dies after being granted right to physician-assisted suicide

A Calgary woman who received a legal exemption for doctor-assisted death hasended her life in Vancouver with the help of two physicians.

Itis believed she is the first person in Canadaoutside of Quebecto be allowed to legally end her life with help from a doctor.

The woman, who cannot be identified because ofa court-ordered publication ban, died with her family at her side.

• Calgary woman who died with doctor's help was an inspiration and an agent of change, says best friend

"My colleague and I were grateful and honoured to be able to help her," Dr. W, a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia, said in an e-mail to The Canadian Press. The doctor also cannot be ID'd due to the publication ban.

Ido notwish to have continued suffering and to die of this illness by choking.I feel that my time has come to go in peace.- Ms. S

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench Justice Sheilah Martin granted the application in a written decision released on Tuesday after hearing arguments at an in-camera hearing last Thursday.

The woman at the heart of the Calgary case wascalled Ms. S in order to protect her privacy. She wasin constant pain, almost completely paralyzedand wastold the disease would havekilled her within aboutsix months.

"I do notwish to have continued suffering and to die of this illness by choking," wrote Ms. Sin one of her twoaffidavits. "I feel that my time has come to go in peace."

The Alberta judge found Ms. Shad met the criteriaas she is a competent adult with a "grievous and irremediable medical condition" that causes intolerable suffering that can't be alleviated and who clearly consents to the termination of life.

Consequences of the Supreme Court ruling on right to die

Under Canada's current law, it is still a crime to assist another person in ending their life but two recent decisions at the Supreme Court allow exemptions if certain criteria are met.

In January, the country'shighest court granted the constitutional exemptionto those who make an application in superior court and are found to have met the criteria until new legislation is crafted in June.

It's a precedent for other jurisdictions and for other patients who want to know how to go about seeking access in this interim period.- Medical ethicistJulietGuichon

"This is the first application of its kind in this province and no applications from other Canadian jurisdictionshave been brought to my attention," Martin writes.

Quebec passed its own separateassisted dying law, which came into effect onDec. 10, 2015. AQuebec City woman whodied with theassistance of a doctorbecame thefirst known casein January.

There have since been about20 other physician-assisted deaths in that province, according toJean-PierreMnard, a Montreal-based lawyerspecializing in patients' rights who helped write the Quebec law. Heapplauded the Alberta decision.

"It's a very important judgment and I think a very good judgment," he told CBC, "because there were fears that this process could be extremely complicated and the approach chosen by the judge in this case seems to be quite flexible."

Juliet Guichon, who teaches law and ethics at the University of Calgary, says the rulingwill provide a way forwardfor others seeking the same legal treatment.

"It's a precedent for other jurisdictions and for other patients who want to know how to go about seeking access in this interim period,"said Guichon.

'I would like to pass away peacefully'

A retired clinical psychologist, Ms. Sworked in the health-care system in Calgary for 38 years.She was an avid hiker and an award-winning dancer.

She was diagnosed with ALS a degenerative neurological disease in April 2013.

"I am not suffering from anxiety or depression or fear of death," wrote Ms. S.in one of twoaffidavits. "I would like to pass away peacefully and am hoping to have physician-assisted death soon."

Evidence considered by Martin included Ms. S's two affidavits dated Feb. 16 and 23, 2016, as well as statements from her doctors, medical records and a letter from her best friend of 38 years.

Her only family washer spouse, who washer main caregiver. In her affidavit, she says their nine-year relationship has been the happiest time of her life.

"As I look back upon my life prior to this illness, which began three years ago, I feel happy, as I have had a very healthy, productive and fulfilled life."

Disability group expresses concern

News of the Alberta decision has provoked reaction from groups both for and against physician-assisted death.

Our concern is that there still needs to be protection for vulnerable persons.- Rhonda Wiebe, Council of Canadians with Disabilities

Rhonda Wiebe, of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, says that although there appears to be no coercion or abuse in this case, "it doesn't mean that having had this first incidence occur, that there aren't people who might be vulnerable who would also be requesting, or having someone request on their behalf, to have assistance in dying."

"Our concern is that there still needs to be protection for vulnerable persons," she said in an interview.

Shanaaz Gokool, the CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada, expressed sympathy for Ms. Sand her family and said the decision puts a human face on the issue.

"The Alberta model can provide an expeditious and a compassionate court process that other jurisdictions can look to until it becomes the law of the land," she said.

Alberta seeks input

Quebec is the only province that hasenacted end-of-life care legislation so far.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling on the right to physician-assisted death, the federal government has until June 6 to draft legislation.

On Monday, Alberta announced that threeMLAswouldgather input from the public on new guidelines for physician-assisted death.

Dr. David Swann,leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, will be part of that group. Hecalled the issue"a major change in our healthcare system."

"I don't think many people will use it ... but for those who desperately want it, I think it should be available as the courts have ruled and we now need to sort out the details of how that can be most fairly and transparently done," he added.

The province is also discussing the issue with the College of Physicians and Surgeons and Alberta Health Services.