Within hours of ruling, A.B. ends his life
Family thanks lawyers and judge who ‘helped our treasured A.B. to stand up for his rights’ for a doctor-assisted death
The first person to be granted a physician-assisted death in Ontario died Friday — one day after his request was approved by a judge.
The 81-year-old Toronto grandfather, known only as A.B., had been suffering “intolerable pain” from advanced-stage lymphoma. He died with the assistance of his physicians, said a statement issued by his family.
“It was his life and his choice, and we support him in that choice unconditionally,” they said.
“We are so thankful for the ongoing care, guidance and medical assistance from his enlightened and compassionate physicians, who, like A.B., believed strongly that an individual deserves to be the author of their own journey’s end when the pain is intolerable and there is no further hope for recovery.”
Superior Court Justice Paul Perell granted A.B. a constitutional exemption Thursday for a physician-assisted death in an emotional ruling, saying he met the appropriate criteria.
It was only the third known in- stance in Canada outside Quebec where an application has been allowed and the first in Ontario since the Supreme Court gave the government an extension earlier this year to craft new legislation around the issue. The deadline is June 6.
In the interim, the top court said that individuals seeking an assisted death could apply to a judge for a constitutional exemption. Two other such requests have been granted, in Calgary and Winnipeg.
A.B.’s family thanked Perell, as well as lawyers Andrew Faith and Emma Carver, “who helped us understand every nuance of this case and unwaveringly helped our treasured A.B. to stand up for his rights and articulate his reasoning to the courts.”
The family spoke of A.B.’s courage in his final years and his appreciation of having his wishes carried out.
“Seeing our beloved A.B. calm, peaceful and without stigma and shame at his life’s end gives us the strength to weather our grief at his departure,” says the statement. “In death, he has been restored to the strong, vibrant and dignified man we knew before cancer and extraordinary pain brought him to his knees.”
They reiterated A.B.’s plea that the government come up with new legislation soon so that no other person has to go through the same legal process and that assisted death becomes a private health matter between an individual and his or her physicians.
“Our Grandpa, Dad, Husband was a proud citizen of this country and believed Canada to be the best place in the world,” they said.
“In his memory, we will do everything we can to continue to make this a reality which includes making certain that the legislation to allow physician assisted death is enshrined — quickly and permanently.”