Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Jurisprudence
Interpreting Canada's Medical Assistance In Dying Legislation, Jocelyn Downie, Jennifer A. Chandler
Interpreting Canada's Medical Assistance In Dying Legislation, Jocelyn Downie, Jennifer A. Chandler
Reports & Public Policy Documents
When the Canadian medical assistance in dying (MAiD) legislation came into force in June 2016, it was widely noted that the meaning of some of its key terms and phrases was unclear. For example, questions were immediately raised about the meaning of “incurable illness, disease, or disability,” “advanced state of irreversible decline in capability,” and “natural death has become reasonably foreseeable.” Interpretation challenges are not uncommon with new legislation. However, in the context of something as significant as access to MAiD and potential criminal liability for getting the meaning of the legislation wrong, these challenges must be confronted by those …