MONTREAL - Always a passionate debate, a hearing on the complex issue of medically assisted suicide took place in Montreal Friday night.
The talk, which comes following last week's release of the controversial Dying with Dignity report by the Select Committee on Dying with Dignity is reviewing the medical practices of euthanasia across Quebec. In Montreal, the debate was emotional and drew complex philosophical questions.
Following the report, the Quebec College of Physicians came out in support of the option of euthanasia under exceptional circumstances and with adequate safeguards.
Wanda Morris, executive director of charity group Dying with Dignity said that was encouraging.
"We believe there's some suffering that only death can end," she said. "If you look at the safeguards in place, there are all kinds there's written requests, repeated requests, requests in writing."
Doctor Catherine Ferrier said she was skeptical of those written consent forms.
"I think that legalizing euthanasia is something that would put very many vulnerable people at risk," said Ferrier, a geriatric specialist, who said there are concerns to address. "People sign forms in hospitals all the time and often they don't even know what they're signing."
