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Case of Nancy B
The Quebec Superior Court ruled in the case of Nancy B., a woman suffering from an incurable disease, that turning off her respirator at her request and letting nature take its course would not be a criminal offence. -
Ontario surgeon charged with second-degree murder
An Ontario surgeon was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a seriously ill cancer patient.
The patient is alleged to have died of a cardiac arrest after having been administered morphine and potassium chloride. -
Case of Scott Mataya
Scott Mataya, a Toronto nurse who had originally been charged with first-degree murder in the mercy killing of a terminally ill patient, entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of administering a noxious substance. He received a suspended sentence and was ordered to surrender his nursing licence. -
Ontario physician given a three-year suspended sentence
An Ontario physician who gave a lethal injection to a seriously ill cancer patient was given a three-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of administering a noxious substance to endanger life. The physician was originally charged with second-degree murder, but this charge was withdrawn. -
Case of Sue Rodriguez
In a five-to-four decision, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an appeal by Sue Rodriguez in which she challenged the validity of the Criminal Code prohibition on assisted suicide under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. On February 12, 1994, Rodriguez committed suicide with the assistance of a physician. The death was investigated by police, but no criminal charge was laid. -
Case of Robert Latimer
Robert Latimer was convicted of second-degree murder in the asphyxiation death of his severely disabled 12-year-old daughter Tracy and sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for ten years. -
New trial ordered for Robert Latimer
The Supreme Court of Canada ordered a new trial for Robert Latimer. On December 1997, Latimer, having again been convicted of second-degree murder, was sentenced to two years less a day, notwithstanding that the minimum sentence under the Criminal Code is life in prison with no possibility of parole for ten years. -
Case of Dr. Nancy Morrison
A Nova Scotia judge found that there was not sufficient evidence for a jury to convict Dr. Nancy Morrison, and refused to commit her to trial. -
Case of Marielle Houle
Marielle Houle was charged with aiding and abetting the suicide of her 36-year-old son, Charles Fariala. In January 2006, Marielle Houle pled guilty to aiding and abetting the suicide of her son, and was sentenced to three years’ probation. -
Case of Evelyn Martens
Evelyn Martens was acquitted of aiding and abetting the suicides of two women that took place in 2002. -
Case of Raymond Kirk
In September 2006, Raymond Kirk pled guilty to aiding the suicide of his ailing wife. The Ontario Court of Justice sentenced him to three years’ probation. -
Case of Stéphan Dufour
In May 2007, Stéphan Dufour was accused of helping his uncle, Chantal Maltais, hang himself. Mr. Maltais, who was 49 years old, had muscular dystrophy and was in a wheelchair. A jury acquitted Dufour in 2008. -
Case of r. Ramesh Kumar Sharma
In June 2007, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Sharma was sentenced for aiding the suicide of Ruth Wolfe, a 93-year-old woman who suffered from heart problems. The court imposed a sentence of two years less a day to be served in the community. -
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Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Canada
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Board loosens parole leash on Robert Latimer
Board loosens parole leash on Robert Latimer
On September 9, 2010, Latimer won his bid for looser parole conditions. Latimer can now spend five days a week away from a halfway house in Victoria where he's been living for two years. -
Robert Latimer granted full parole
Almost 10 years after he was sent to prison for killing his severely disabled daughter, sparking a national debate on the morality of euthanasia, Robert Latimer will have full parole as of Dec. 6, 2010. Read it on Global News: Robert Latimer awarded full parole Robert Latimer awarded full parole
