CALGARY, May 27, 2016 – A 2016 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences public event features a moderated discussion on the future of end-of-life decision-making in Canada.
WHAT: The future of end-of-life decision-making in Canada
WHEN: Sunday, May 29, 2016 from 14:00 to 15:00
WHERE: Main Expo Event Space, Kinesiology B, University of Calgary campus
The reality of assisted dying in Canada has changed rapidly since the Royal Society of Canada produced its report on End-of-Life Decision Making in 2011. The Canadian government has recently tabled legislation to revise the Canadian Criminal Code on medically assisted dying following the landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision in Carter, legislation in the province of Quebec, and reports from two expert groups and one Parliamentary Committee.
Moderated by Maryse Lassonde, President of the Royal Society of Canada, join a thoughtful discussion between two panel experts, as they explore what these developments mean for the future of end-of-life decision-making in Canada:
- Jocelyn Downie, Professor in the Faculties of Law and Medicine, Dalhousie University, Member of the Royal Society of Canada and Fellow of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation
- Daniel Weinstock, James McGill Professor at McGill University’s Faculty of Law, and Director, McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy, and Fellow of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation
This event is held in partnership with the Royal Society of Canada. It is open to the public, free of charge. Media welcome.
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About the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Congress is the largest interdisciplinary conference in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Now in its 85th year, Congress brings together approximately 70 academic associations that represent a rich spectrum of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including literature, history, theatre, film studies, education, music, sociology, geography, social work and many others. Congress 2016 is hosted by the University of Calgary. For more information, visit www.congress2016.ca.
About the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences promotes research and teaching for the advancement of an inclusive, democratic and prosperous society. With a membership now comprising over 160 universities, colleges and scholarly associations, the Federation represents a diverse community of 91,000 researchers and graduate students across Canada. The Federation organizes Canada’s largest academic gathering, the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing together more than 8,000 participants each year. For more information about the Federation, visit ideas-idees.ca.
About the Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada (RSC): The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada was established under an Act of Parliament in 1883 as Canada’s National Academy, the senior collegium of distinguished scholars, artists and scientists in the country. The primary objective of the Society is to promote learning and research in the arts, the humanities and the natural and social sciences. For more information, visit www.rsc-src.ca.
Media inquiries
Nicola Katz
Communications Manager
Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Cell: 613-282-3489
nkatz@ideas-idees.ca