DAY 25 (Mar 9) The Right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Person

From yesterday's class you should now know the four questions to ask when considering whether a case involving the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Today we are looking at the case of Sue Rodriguez and the right to die with dignity in Canada.

Please write these questions down:

Sue Rodriguez: "Whose body is this?  Who owns my life?"

1. How does this quote relate to your own life and your own body?

2. Who has the authority to tell you what you can and cannot do with your life or your body?


3. What is Euthanasia?

4. When is Euthanasia used with animals?

5. How does s. 1 of the Charter limit individual rights?


While viewing the video clip, let's try to answer these questions:

6.  What are the symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s disease? Is it treatable?

7.  What constitutional rights did Rodriguez say had been violated by the Criminal Code?

8.  What is the significance of the timing of Rodriguez’s death?

Then I distributed a handout on Sue Rodriguez and the Right to Die in Canada.  It was a synopsis of the case and some more questions for you to tackle.