Vancouver – On Monday, November 14 at 9:30 a.m. the Supreme Court of British Columbia will hear expert evidence in Carter v. Canada, the BCCLA’s court case challenging the laws that make it a crime for physicians to assist seriously and incurably ill people to die with dignity.

The experts who will be cross-examined include psychiatrists, palliative care physicians, medical ethicists and philosophers. Some of the experts’ opinions support the plaintiffs’ case that physician assisted dying with appropriate safeguards prevents suffering and upholds human rights, whereas others support the governments’ case.

The cross-examinations will take place over two weeks, from November 14 – November 25 at variously scheduled times. A brief overview of the expert evidence and the first cross-examination will commence Monday, November 14 at 9:30 a.m. The presiding judge is Madame Justice Lynn Smith.

The broader hearing and argument of the case, including opening and closing arguments, detailed review of the evidence, and full legal submissions will begin on Monday, November 28, 2011.

Read the Plaintiff’s amended notice of claim here.

Read additional materials about the case here >>

What: Supreme Court of BC will hear expert evidence in Carter v. Canada case

Who: The experts who will be cross-examined include psychiatrists, palliative care physicians, medical ethicists and philosophers

Where: Vancouver Law Courts, 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver BC

When: Monday, November 14 at 9:30 a.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Grace Pastine, BCCLA Litigation Director, 604-630-9751

Joseph Arvay, Lawyer for the BCCLA, 604-505-1728