Quebec's College of Physicians endorse euthanasia "in certain exceptional situations"

The euthanasia debate just got much more interesting. The Quebec College of Physicians has formally taken a position in the debate, officially supporting euthanasia but "in certain exceptional situations". Dr Yves Lamontagne, president of the College, expressed the institution's opinion on the matter, which seems very practical and definitely a step in the right direction for those who wish to die with dignity, in the face of agonizing pain and suffering:

There do exist certain exceptional situations where euthanasia could be considered by the patient and their physician to be an ultimate and necessary step in assuring the patient receives appropriate and quality care to the very end.

Lamontagne added that the college hopes that their position will incite legislative action on the issue, as a recent Angus Reid poll found that 71% of Canadians support euthanasia. An Environics Research Group poll on the issue, commissioned by the Ottawa-based utlra-conservative group LifeCanada, found that 61% of Canadians polled support euthanasia. Dr. Yves Robert elaborted on the College's postion, explaining that in cases where someone's death is at hand, euthanasia could be considered, but only if those are the patient's wishes and carried out in the "context of compassion". The College's ethics task force concluded this past summer that Canadian society would be able to accept euthanasia in specific cases.

It's also very interesting that the College have come out with this announcement, as Bloc Quebecois MP Francine Lalonde's Bill C-384, which intends to legalize euthanasia, looms before Parliament with a second reading. The College however does not support Lalonde's legislation as Lamontagne said it is too broad and not very specific. Meanwhile the College conducted a survey this summer of more than two thousand doctors and found that 75% supported euthanasia, but only if it occured within clear regulations. But the most fascinating aspect of their survey was that 81% Quebec doctors polled said they had witnessed euthanasia practiced in the province, which usually involved anaesthetics and after their medical treatment had concluded.