Sue Rodriguez: Difference between revisions
imported>Jevansen Moving from Category:People from Winnipeg to Category:Activists from Winnipeg using Cat-a-lot |
imported>Ullint0 m Cleaned up using AutoEd |
||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
After her ALS diagnosis, Rodriguez requested the help of a physician for [[Assisted suicide|medical aid in dying]].<ref>Herbert C. Northcott & Donna Marie Wilson, [[Dying & Death in Canada, 2nd ed.]] (Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview Press, 2008‑01‑01), ISBN 978-1-55111-873-4, p. 127.</ref> However, no physicians were willing to fulfill the request; under section 241(b) of Canada's ''[[Criminal Code (Canada)|Criminal Code]]'', anyone who "...aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years".<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/canada-proposed-assisted-suicide-law-excludes-tourists Canada's proposed assisted-dying law to preclude suicide tourism ]</ref><ref>[https://yourlaws.ca/criminal-code-canada/241-suicide 241 - Suicide | Criminal Code of Canada]</ref> Rodriguez sought a legal exception in her home province, [[British Columbia]], but was denied. | After her ALS diagnosis, Rodriguez requested the help of a physician for [[Assisted suicide|medical aid in dying]].<ref>Herbert C. Northcott & Donna Marie Wilson, [[Dying & Death in Canada, 2nd ed.]] (Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview Press, 2008‑01‑01), ISBN 978-1-55111-873-4, p. 127.</ref> However, no physicians were willing to fulfill the request; under section 241(b) of Canada's ''[[Criminal Code (Canada)|Criminal Code]]'', anyone who "...aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years".<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/canada-proposed-assisted-suicide-law-excludes-tourists Canada's proposed assisted-dying law to preclude suicide tourism ]</ref><ref>[https://yourlaws.ca/criminal-code-canada/241-suicide 241 - Suicide | Criminal Code of Canada]</ref> Rodriguez sought a legal exception in her home province, [[British Columbia]], but was denied. | ||
The [[British Columbia Civil Liberties Association]] (BCCLA) filed a [[lawsuit]], ''[[Rodriguez v British Columbia (AG)]]'', that challenged section 241(b) as contrary to sections [[Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|7]], [[Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|12]], and [[Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|15]] of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]].<ref>[http://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/BP/bp349-e.htm The Rodriguez Case: A Review of the Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Assisted Suicide]</ref> In a [[videotape]]d address to [[Parliament of Canada|Parliament]] on November 24, 1992, Rodriguez famously asked, | The [[British Columbia Civil Liberties Association]] (BCCLA) filed a [[lawsuit]], ''[[Rodriguez v British Columbia (AG)]]'', that challenged section 241(b) as contrary to sections [[Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|7]], [[Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|12]], and [[Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms|15]] of the [[Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms]].<ref>[http://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/BP/bp349-e.htm The Rodriguez Case: A Review of the Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Assisted Suicide]</ref> In a [[videotape]]d address to [[Parliament of Canada|Parliament]] on November 24, 1992, Rodriguez famously asked, "If I cannot give consent to my own death, whose body is this? Who owns my life?"<ref>{{cite web |title=Canadian Woman Urges Legal Suicide Aid (Published 1992) |website=[[The New York Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706105929/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/26/world/canadian-woman-urges-legal-suicide-aid.html |archive-date=2018-07-06 |url-status=live |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/26/world/canadian-woman-urges-legal-suicide-aid.html}}</ref><ref>[https://windsorstar.com/life/who-owns-my-life-sue-rodriguez-changed-how-we-think 'Who owns my life?': Sue Rodriguez changed how we think]</ref> On May 20, 1993, her case was heard by the [[Supreme Court of Canada]]. On September 30 of that year, it decided against her 5–4.<ref>[https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/1054/index.do Rodriguez v. British Columbia (Attorney General) - SCC Cases (Lexum)]</ref> | ||
On February 12, 1994, with the assistance of an anonymous doctor, Sue Rodriguez ended her own life by ingesting a liquid mixture of [[morphine]] and [[secobarbital]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/15/world/woman-who-lost-a-right-to-die-case-in-canada-commits-suicide.html Woman Who Lost a Right-to-Die Case in Canada Commits Suicide]</ref><ref>[https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20111115/281608122232134 PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News]</ref> The doctor's intervention was arranged by [[Member of parliament#Canada|MP]] [[Svend Robinson]], who was regarded as one of Rodriguez's most prominent supporters. Robinson was present at her death.<ref>Joan M. Gilmour, "Death, Dying and Decision-Making about End of Life Care" in [[Jocelyn Downie]] et al (eds), ''Canadian Health Law and Policy'' (Canada: LexisNexis, 2007), page 471</ref> However, by her request, her ex-husband Henry and their son Cole were not. An investigation was undertaken, but no charges were laid.<ref>[https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20140209/282153584171588 PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News]</ref> Robinson has vowed never to reveal the anonymous doctor's identity. | On February 12, 1994, with the assistance of an anonymous doctor, Sue Rodriguez ended her own life by ingesting a liquid mixture of [[morphine]] and [[secobarbital]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/15/world/woman-who-lost-a-right-to-die-case-in-canada-commits-suicide.html Woman Who Lost a Right-to-Die Case in Canada Commits Suicide]</ref><ref>[https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20111115/281608122232134 PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News]</ref> The doctor's intervention was arranged by [[Member of parliament#Canada|MP]] [[Svend Robinson]], who was regarded as one of Rodriguez's most prominent supporters. Robinson was present at her death.<ref>Joan M. Gilmour, "Death, Dying and Decision-Making about End of Life Care" in [[Jocelyn Downie]] et al (eds), ''Canadian Health Law and Policy'' (Canada: LexisNexis, 2007), page 471</ref> However, by her request, her ex-husband Henry and their son Cole were not. An investigation was undertaken, but no charges were laid.<ref>[https://www.pressreader.com/canada/the-province/20140209/282153584171588 PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News]</ref> Robinson has vowed never to reveal the anonymous doctor's identity. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
The 1996 book ''[[Timely Death]]'' was inspired by the Sue Rodriguez story, and the 1998 [[film]] ''[[At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story]]'', which stars [[Wendy Crewson]] as Sue Rodriguez, dramatizes her story. | The 1996 book ''[[Timely Death]]'' was inspired by the Sue Rodriguez story, and the 1998 [[film]] ''[[At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story]]'', which stars [[Wendy Crewson]] as Sue Rodriguez, dramatizes her story. | ||
On June 17, 2016, medically assisted dying became legal in Canada.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36566214 Canada's parliament passes assisted suicide bill]</ref> An emotional Svend Robinson, who now lives in [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]], told the press: | On June 17, 2016, medically assisted dying became legal in Canada.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36566214 Canada's parliament passes assisted suicide bill]</ref> An emotional Svend Robinson, who now lives in [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]], told the press: "Today's ruling is a victory for compassion, for justice and for humanity. And I pay tribute to the memory of Sue Rodriguez, who with courage, passion and dignity blazed the trail that led to this historic day. She would have been thrilled".<ref>[https://vancouversun.com/health/svend+robinson+tears+memories+rodriguez+rush+back/10794380/story.html For Svend Robinson, tears as memories of Sue Rodriguez rush back]</ref> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
*[[Gloria Taylor (patient)|Gloria Taylor]] | * [[Gloria Taylor (patient)|Gloria Taylor]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 06:53, 26 October 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image
Sue Rodriguez (August 2, 1950 – February 12, 1994) was a Canadian right-to-die activist. In August 1991, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) and was given two to five years to live.[1] She ultimately made the decision to end her life and she sought the assistance of a doctor to that end, leading to a legal battle. She lost her case in front of the Supreme Court of Canada, but took her own life with the help of an anonymous doctor on February 12, 1994. She is cited as an important figure in the eventual legalization of medical assistance in dying in Canada.
Life
Sue Rodriguez was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in the Toronto suburb of Thornhill. She lived in California for a time before returning to Canada. Her first marriage to Henry Rodriguez ended after less than eight years, and she had a son.[2]
Death
After her ALS diagnosis, Rodriguez requested the help of a physician for medical aid in dying.[3] However, no physicians were willing to fulfill the request; under section 241(b) of Canada's Criminal Code, anyone who "...aids or abets a person to commit suicide, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years".[4][5] Rodriguez sought a legal exception in her home province, British Columbia, but was denied.
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) filed a lawsuit, Rodriguez v British Columbia (AG), that challenged section 241(b) as contrary to sections 7, 12, and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.[6] In a videotaped address to Parliament on November 24, 1992, Rodriguez famously asked, "If I cannot give consent to my own death, whose body is this? Who owns my life?"[7][8] On May 20, 1993, her case was heard by the Supreme Court of Canada. On September 30 of that year, it decided against her 5–4.[9]
On February 12, 1994, with the assistance of an anonymous doctor, Sue Rodriguez ended her own life by ingesting a liquid mixture of morphine and secobarbital.[10][11] The doctor's intervention was arranged by MP Svend Robinson, who was regarded as one of Rodriguez's most prominent supporters. Robinson was present at her death.[12] However, by her request, her ex-husband Henry and their son Cole were not. An investigation was undertaken, but no charges were laid.[13] Robinson has vowed never to reveal the anonymous doctor's identity.
Almost 23 years later, on June 7, 2016, medical assistance in dying became legal in Canada as the result of a similar Supreme Court case, Carter v Canada (AG). The Court unanimously struck down parts of section 241(b) and section 14 of the Criminal Code which the justices ruled unjustifiably infringed on section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.[14][15]
In the media
The 1996 book Timely Death was inspired by the Sue Rodriguez story, and the 1998 film At the End of the Day: The Sue Rodriguez Story, which stars Wendy Crewson as Sue Rodriguez, dramatizes her story.
On June 17, 2016, medically assisted dying became legal in Canada.[16] An emotional Svend Robinson, who now lives in Geneva, Switzerland, told the press: "Today's ruling is a victory for compassion, for justice and for humanity. And I pay tribute to the memory of Sue Rodriguez, who with courage, passion and dignity blazed the trail that led to this historic day. She would have been thrilled".[17]
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ Sue Rodriguez at CBC Archives page
- ↑ Who Owns My Life?: The Sue Rodriguez Story video
- ↑ Herbert C. Northcott & Donna Marie Wilson, Dying & Death in Canada, 2nd ed. (Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview Press, 2008‑01‑01), ISBN 978-1-55111-873-4, p. 127.
- ↑ Canada's proposed assisted-dying law to preclude suicide tourism
- ↑ 241 - Suicide | Criminal Code of Canada
- ↑ The Rodriguez Case: A Review of the Supreme Court of Canada Decision on Assisted Suicide
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ 'Who owns my life?': Sue Rodriguez changed how we think
- ↑ Rodriguez v. British Columbia (Attorney General) - SCC Cases (Lexum)
- ↑ Woman Who Lost a Right-to-Die Case in Canada Commits Suicide
- ↑ PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News
- ↑ Joan M. Gilmour, "Death, Dying and Decision-Making about End of Life Care" in Jocelyn Downie et al (eds), Canadian Health Law and Policy (Canada: LexisNexis, 2007), page 471
- ↑ PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News
- ↑ Canada Legalizes Physician-Assisted Dying
- ↑ Carter v. Canada (Attorney General) - SCC Cases (Lexum)
- ↑ Canada's parliament passes assisted suicide bill
- ↑ For Svend Robinson, tears as memories of Sue Rodriguez rush back
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- CBC Archives - Sue Rodriguez and the Right-To-Die Debate
- Supreme Court of Canada - Decisions - Rodriguez v. British Columbia (Attorney General)
Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Authority control