Kerry Bowman, PhD, will lead a session on the  rapidly changing landscape of end of life decisions in Canada.  This presentation will review the sometimes competing ethical issues in the end of life/ending of life conversation and begin a conversation about  how we personally and as a society can begin to discriminate among competing values and social perspectives on this complex issue.   Dr. Bowman will explore the factors that may influence an individual and their family members to consider a life prolonging versus a life-ending approach when faced with various challenges related to aging, including loneliness, loss of a partner, or life threatening illness.  The ethical question of vulnerability and  physician assisted dying will also be explored.  The focus of the session will be on understanding the social and ethical challenges of having the autonomy and choice to die.

Post Presentation Links:

• The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario: Interim Guidance on Physician-Assisted Death

• Decision on the Federal Government’s request for an extension of time to implement the Supreme Court’s original ruling
• Supreme Court’s original ruling overturning the prohibition of Physician-assisted dying
• CMA’s report titled Principled Recommendations for a Canadian Approach to Assisted Dying
• Report of the Provincial-Territorial Expert Advisory Group on Physician-Assisted Dying