Trudeau supports doctor-assisted death after experience with dying father

OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau says he personally believes the Supreme Court of Canada was right to strike down the ban on doctor-assisted death.

The Liberal leader says his own view is based on his experience when his father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, was dying.

Trudeau has in the past confirmed that his father, who had also been diagnosed with early stage dementia, chose not to receive treatment for advanced prostate cancer.

Trudeau says he’s well aware not everyone shares his view on assisted dying and parliamentarians have a duty to hear from all sides as they attempt to craft a new law.

The court has given Parliament 12 months in which to draft a law that recognizes the right of clearly consenting adults who are enduring intolerable physical or mental suffering to seek medical help to end their lives.

Trudeau has moved a House of Commons motion calling for creation of a multi-party committee to consult Canadians and experts and to draft the outlines of a new law by the end of July, although the Conservatives say they’ll vote against it because they intend to launch their own consultations soon.