Statement: CARP disappointed by Senate vote against advance consent

Wade Poziomka, CARP’s Director of Policy and Litigation, issued the following statement following Monday evening’s Senate vote:

“Last night’s Senate vote against allowing individuals diagnosed with a grievous and irremediable medical condition, such as dementia, to provide advance directives for their end-of-life care will leave many Canadians suffering unnecessarily.

CARP’s members, and the Canadian public at-large, have overwhelmingly expressed their support for advance consent. The debate around this issue is far from over and CARP will continue to actively engage with the government, policy-makers and the public to ensure that all Canadians have the right to the dignity of control over their end-of-life care.”

Eight-out-of-ten CARP members polled support advance consent for medical assistance in dying for an individual diagnosed with a grievous and irremediable medical condition, such as dementia. A recent Forum Poll showed that 74 percent of Canadians also support advance requests.