Doctors carry out first assisted suicide in Western Canada

Calgary woman received a legal exemption and died Monday

A Canadian in the final stages of Lou Gehrig's disease has died with the help of two doctors.
 
The woman, identified as Ms. S., sought out assisted suicide despite the fact that it is not yet written into Canadian law. She received a legal exemption and flew to Vancouver to die Feb. 29.

"I feel that my time has come to go in peace."

Doctor Ellen Wiebe, a UBC clinical professor and a member of Hemlock AID, said she and a collegue "were grateful and honoured to be able to help her."

She said it was the first time she has assisted a patient in committing suicide.

Justice Sheilah Martin said this application for exemption was the only one she is aware of in Canada. Quebec has its own law governing assisted suicide; the first death under that law was carried out in January.