Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton released the following statement today on medical assistance in dying:

“Today, the Criminal Justice Branch issued guidelines for prosecutors on medical assistance in dying, which I fully support.

“The branch is advising its prosecutors that when the conditions in Carter are met, there is no substantial likelihood of a conviction under S. 241 (b) for physicians or other health care professionals involved in carrying out a physician-assisted death in B.C.

“The direction from the Criminal Justice Branch, along with the standards issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. and the related regulations under B.C.’s Health Professions Act, enables the conditions to allow for physician-assisted dying in British Columbia.”

The Criminal Justice Branch statement will be available at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bc-prosecution-service/media-statements