N.L. Crown prosecutors, police receive directive on new doctor-assisted dying rules

Crown prosecutors in Newfoundland and Labrador have been given a directive outlining when and when not to prosecute for cases of physician-assisted death.

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The province's director of public prosecutions publicly shared the directive on Thursday, in compliance with the February 2015 Supreme Court of Canadaruling also known as the Carter case that prohibiting assisted dying is unconstitutional in some cases.

In that ruling, the court ruled thata law that makes it illegal for anyone to help people end their own livesshould be amended to allow doctors to help in specific situations. Federal legislation on assisted dying is nowcurrently moving through the parliamentary process.

The directive sent to Newfoundland and Labrador attorneys explains that the likelihood of conviction for criminal charges related to certain sections of the Criminal Code are now much less likely than before the Supreme Court ruling specifically in relation to sections 241 and 14, which deal with "counselling or aiding suicide."

Justice Minister Andrew Parsons saysthe provincial government wants to be clear that if a patient's case falls within the criteria of the Carter decision, adoctorwho helps themdie won't be charged with committing a crime.

"No they wouldn't be prosecuted because the law right now is based on the Carter case which saysthat thoseprovisions were struck down," said Parsons.

"The problem would be if a physician is unsure and maybe believes thatthey could be prosecuted, then that may prevent them from providing this service, which they are supposed to do."

According to the directive, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the RCMPhave agreed to contact the public prosecutions office before investigating complaints related to doctor-assisted death.

The directive is also clear that pharmacists who help in such cases won't be prosecuted.

The full directive can be found on theDepartment of Justice website.