Experts on landmark ruling on euthanasia and assisted suicide

The following University of Victoria experts are available to comment after the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on euthanasia and assisted suicide, expected Friday, Feb. 6 at 9:45 a.m. EST:

Eike-Henner Kluge (Faculty of Humanities) is a professor in UVic’s Department of Philosophy and an expert in medical ethics. He has developed a proposal—available as a PDF online—for restructuring the Criminal Code of Canada to allow for euthanasia and assisted suicide. The founding director of the Canadian Medical Association's Department of Ethics and Legal Affairs, Kluge was the ethics advisor to North Saanich resident Sue Rodriguez, whose case in 1993 was the first to challenge section 241(b) of the Criminal Code. He was the first expert witness in medical ethics recognized by Canadian courts; has acted in that capacity in BC, Alberta and Ontario; and has presented invited testimony to Royal Commissions and Parliamentary Committees. He has also been a consultant to Health Canada, as well as various provincial health ministries and health regions. Kluge is available to comment on the ruling, including over the weekend. (Offices: 250-721-7519 on campus or 250-642-0132 at home and by email at ekluge@uvic.ca)

Gillian Calder (Faculty of Law) is a legal scholar in the area of constitutional law, equality and the law’s impact on our understanding of the family. She can speak to the issue of doctor-assisted suicide, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and on the Supreme Court of Canada’s ability to reverse their own judgments. Calder is particularly interested in the history of the judgments in the Sue Rodriguez case. She is available during regular office hours. (Office: 250-472-5247 or at gcalder@uvic.ca)

Maneesha Deckha (Faculty of Law) is a legal scholar in the area of equality and dignity in the realm of health law and bioethics. She can address the ethical and legal issues surrounding physician-assisted suicide, the lower court judgments leading to the Supreme Court’s decision, the uniqueness of the equality argument in the case, and the diversity in views in the disability rights community about the case. Deckha is available during regular office hours. (Office: 250-721-8175 or at mdeckha@uvic.ca)

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