Today, the government of Quebec vowed to move ahead with legislation that would allow doctors to medically-assist certain patients who wish to die with dignity, and it gives me hope that sane governing it still possible in this place and time.
As the Right-to-die case makes its way through the legal system, carrying on without its most famous face, Gloria Taylor, it's really encouraging that the Quebec government spent two years studying the issue and hosting public meetings to hear what the public and experts had to say, and has pledged to act. Why is it encouraging? Well, ultimately, it's because this is what democracy is supposed to be. Those elected to represent a constituency consult with their constituents, and based on this, develops policy for the public good. Thus far, elected representatives in Canada have been extremely reluctant to act on this issue, despite support for the right to dignified death sitting anywhere between 65-75%, depending on which poll you review.
This is a difficult issue, and it takes real conviction and understanding to support the right to a dignified death. It takes patience to deal with the many fallacies that surround the issue. But most of all, it takes great political will to set aside whatever personal beliefs you may have against the right to a dignified death, and act not as your party would have you do, but as the very people you represent would have you do. So, Bravo Quebec!
More political courage...
...Wish you were here.
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