Posted on 01/28/2005 12:20:18 PM PST by ex-Texan
Ontario Man Hopes His Suicide Will Prompt Change to Law
Plans to Attend Own Wake First
A 78-year-old Ottawa man who intends to take his own life on Friday night, is publicizing his plans in the hopes it will spur changes to Canadian suicide law.
Marcel Tremblay says he's been sick with a variety of ailments since he was 16-years-old, and now suffers from a fatal lung condition that is slowly robbing him of the ability to breathe properly.
"I signed a living will in '91 because I thought I would very well pull the plug at the time and end my life. But for whatever reason, I kept living with all these things," he told Canada AM in an interview early Friday morning.
But now, faced with the prospect that his idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will slowly, but inevitably kill him, Tremblay says he's had a change of heart.
"In the last few months, I've acquired two kinds of pills to take two different cocktails to do the job. But I decided to use a helium gas instead."
Tremblay says, as a card-carrying member of the Canadian group Dying With Dignity, he's well-versed on the issues surrounding suicide. But, because he plans to kill himself without any help, he wants to make sure his family can attend his death without facing criminal charges.
"If I wait for this disease to kill me, my family would be welcome at the hospital or wherever I am at the time, to hold my hand and pray for me while I exit this world," Tremblay said.
"I don't want to wait for that. I've decided to do it my way and why can't I have my family with me at the time to pray for me?"
Although it is legal to commit, or attempt to commit suicide in Canada, it is unlawful for anyone to aid or abet the act.
So, to ensure that his relatives won't be charged after he's gone, he has retained prominent Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon.
At a news conference in Ottawa on Friday afternoon, Greenspon told reporters that he has been assured by Tremblay's wife and children that they won't lift a finger to help Marcel.
Greenspon went on to explain that his client also hopes his death will stir a debate in the country.
"He's in a position where he can do something, while the vast majority of people who suffer terminal illnesses are not in a position where they're physically able to do what he intends to do."
Elaborating on Greenspon's comment, Tremblay acknowledged that his is not a case of assisted suicide.
"That's one of the reasons I want to bring this to a conclusion," he said. "I feel very strongly the law should be changed for those who can't do what I'm doing."
"I want people to talk about it," Tremblay added, explaining that most right-to-die advocates have told him it would be better just to take his own life quietly, out of the public spotlight.
"They all say 'Shhh, don't call the police, don't tell anybody... (But) you're never going to get that law changed if everybody does that."
Reporting from Ottawa, CTV's Joy Malbon says Ottawa police were tipped off to Tremblay's plan some time ago, after the retired salesman informed Canada Revenue that he would no longer be filing taxes.
The tax agency contacted police, who then got in touch with Tremblay.
"They sent him for three psychiatric assessments," Malbon said, "All of which concluded he was of sound mind."
They don't plan to intervene, she said.
Under current Canadian laws, anyone who assists a suicide faces a maximum penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
From NealeNews.com which is a conservative site in Canada.
Finally, a constructive thing all those democrats fleeing to Canada can do for themselves and us.
"Finally, a constructive thing all those democrats fleeing to Canada can do for themselves and us."
I know I shouldn't be, but I'm LAUGHING at your comment!
If he waits until Monday he can see how the Iraqi elections turn out.
So he's going to meet his Maker with a funny, squeeky voice?
It's funny how God always has the last laugh...
Big mistake getting the taxman involved. They'll be hanging right over his corpse for their last pound of flesh, when otherwise he could have quietly offed himself.
And if he waits until Wednesday he can see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow or not.
yep, see my tag....
If you want to kill yourself, shut up already and kill yourself.
It's not exactly difficult.
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