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In a decision rendered yesterday, the Quebec Court of Appeal authorized the Government of Quebec to appeal the decision that the Superior Court rendered on December 1 declaring inoperative all the articles related to medical aid in dying until a federal law is written.

In yesterday’s judgment, after emphasizing the fact that to suspend the articles related to medical aid in dying would prevent some citizens from taking advantage of them, the appeal judge declared that it is an important social issue that raises several questions of constitutional law, notably those related to the division of powers and to fundamental rights and freedoms.

The appeal will be heard by three judges of the Court of Appeal on December 18.

In a nutshell, this means that the provisions of the Law respecting end of life care related to medical aid in dying have indeed come into effect today and will remain so until the judgment of the Court of Appeal. There is also a possibility that the Court orders a suspension, which would delay their implementation.

Nonetheless, after the hearing of December 18, the Court of Appeal could reject Quebec’s appeal and re-establish the judgment of the Superior Court, which would again suspend the provisions on medical aid in dying at least until February 6, 2016.

Living with Dignity and the Physicians’ Alliance against Euthanasia will continue to promote the protection of human life, the quality and availability of medical care for all, and the recognition of the dignity of all the citizens of our country until their natural death, as well as the right of all physicians to refuse to practise medical aid in dying or to collaborate with it in any way.