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The Vancouver Public Library cancelled a November
booking for a self-deliverance workshop hosted by Exit
International. The decision was taken by central
librarian Paul Whitney, after receiving a legal opinion
that the program "would be in contravention of the
Criminal Code".
Exit International director Philip Nitschke said "We
have been running these workshops in other countries and
are rather taken aback to find the suggestion that
simply providing this accurate information is going to
be any breach of Canadian law." Nitschke spoke by video
at a news conference at the library's downtown Vancouver
branch.
In the Gazette story (below), David Eby, executive
director of the BC Civil Liberties Association, said the
association will be meeting with the library's board of
directors Wednesday in an effort have the ban lifted.
[Note: Some other recent stories related to this topic
are in the Links: section below.]
To read the full article click on one of these links, both of which go to the same destination. A short link is provided for the convenience of readers. Also, readers may search and browse past advisories on the web (see bottom.)
Library bars suicide group: Fears liability for potential deaths
[MetroNews.ca, Vancouver]
http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/article/317895—library-bars-suicide-group
"Russel Ogden, a criminologist at Kwantlen
Polytechnic University who has studied assisted
suicide in Canada for the past 20 years, said
talking about suicide is not an offence. There is
evidence, he added, that discussing suicide can
even act as a deterrent"
Vancouver library bans suicide how-to workshop
[The Gazette, Montreal, Canwest]
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Vancouver+library+bans+suicide+workshop/2017541/story.html
"Whitney said Monday he was advised such a program
would be in contravention of Section 241 of the
Criminal Code, which makes it an offence to aid or
abet any person in committing suicide. "The
decision to cancel the room booking by Exit
International was made based on legal and law
enforcement advice. The library was told in
unambiguous language that the program would be in
contravention of Section 241," Whitney said."
Keller, James. "Vancouver library bars assisted-suicide group's how-to workshop". Metro News Calgary. September 21, 2009 7:30 p.m. <www.metronews.ca/calgary/live/article/317390-- vancouver-library-bars-assisted- suicide-group-s-how-to-workshop>. Free Daily News Group Inc., 120, 3030 - 3 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB, Canada, T2A 6T7.
Tags (or keywords) briefly indicate some major topics of the report.
self-deliverance
Exit International
British Columbia
Canada
The EuthaNEWSia ID for this advisory is: enid200909228167.
Mailed: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 14:13:25 -0600
at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
EuthaNEWSia is a free Canadian news advisory service covering end-of-life issues such as right to die, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. EuthaNEWSia is produced by the Right to Die Society of Canada which works toward a good death for all, including open, regulated and equitable access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The editor is Michael Dawson <editor@euthanewsia.ca>.
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