Dame Esther expressed her gratitude on behalf of all those seeking ‘a pain-free death with dignity’ (Image: PA) Dame Esther Rantzen says her “impossible dream” of seeing assisted dying debated in the Commons may now come true, after Sir Keir Starmer renewed his vow to make time for it. The veteran broadcaster, 84, has fought … Read more
Dame Esther reminded the Prime Minister of his pre-election promise to her (Image: Steve Reigate) Dame Esther Rantzen has issued a personal plea for the Prime Minister to make his promise “come true” and hold a vote on assisted dying. The terminally ill campaigner, 84, said: “For me, and others like me, it has to … Read more
Sophie does not want daughter to Maya to see her suffer at the end of her life. (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster/Sophie Blake) A terminally ill mum has issued a heartbreaking plea for the Prime Minister to help legalise assisted dying so her teenage daughter is not forced to watch her suffer. Sophie Blake, 51, has secondary … Read more
A man who says he suffers from chronic and worsening mental health issues is among those launching a court challenge of the federal government’s assisted dying law, which excludes people suffering solely from a mental disorder. An application filed by Dying with Dignity in Ontario Superior Court on Monday argues that it is discriminatory to … Read more
Lord Falconer’s bill is a major boost for campaigners. (Image: Tim Merry) The Prime Minister has been urged to keep his promise on assisted dying as a Bill seeking to change the law is set to be introduced in Parliament. In a major breakthrough for campaigners, long-time supporter Lord Falconer was drawn second in the … Read more
Lord Falconer’s bill is a major boost for campaigners. (Image: Tim Merry) The Prime Minister has been urged to keep his promise on assisted dying as a Bill seeking to change the law is set to be introduced in Parliament. In a major breakthrough for campaigners, long-time supporter Lord Falconer was drawn second in the … Read more
Rebecca Wilcox has opened up about possibly facing prosecution if she accompanies her mum, Dame Esther Rantzen, to an assisted dying clinic. In December 2023, Dame Esther, 83, who has stage four lung cancer, announced she was considering travelling to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland for an assisted death, as it is illegal in the … Read more
Canada’s justice minister is rejecting charges that the federal government is perpetuating mental-illness stereotypes by delaying a planned expansion of medical assistance in dying. Arif Virani says allowing access to an assisted death solely on the basis of a mental disorder is a complex endeavour — and that’s the only reason for the delay. The … Read more
The Liberals have delayed expanding medical assistance in dying for mental illness until after the next election. But if Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wins, he says he will scrap the plan altogether. “We will revoke (an expansion) entirely,” Poilievre said at a news conference Thursday in Vancouver after the Trudeau government punted the move until … Read more
Canada is “not ready” to expand eligibility for medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to people with mental health as their sole medical condition, Health Minister Mark Holland said Monday. Holland said the government agrees with a joint parliamentary committee report released earlier Monday that reached the same conclusion, and that assisted death should only be … Read more
