Voices for Choice 

Welcome to Voices for Choice:  a site dedicated to the story of Sue Rodriguez, a courageous Canadian change maker who fought for dignity, autonomy, and the right to choose. Explore her journey, the landmark case she inspired, and the lasting impact her fight had on Canadian law and society.

By: Sara Khan 

Who is Sue Rodriguez 

Sue Rodriguez (1950–1994) was a Canadian activist who became a key figure in the national debate on assisted dying. After being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1991, she challenged Canada’s ban on assisted suicide, bringing the issue into the public spotlight (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021).

Her Story

Living in British Columbia, Rodriguez argued before the courts that she should have the right to die with medical help when her suffering became intolerable. In 1993, her case reached the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled against her in a narrow 5–4 decision. She later died in 1994 with the help of an anonymous physician (McMorrow, 2016; Rodriguez v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 1993).

Her Values and Beliefs

Rodriguez fought for autonomy and equality. She believed these principles were guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Her famous question “If I cannot give consent to my own death, whose body is this?”—captured her belief that individuals should have control over their lives and deaths (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021).

The Law in Question

Sue Rodriguez challenged section 241(b) of Canada’s Criminal Code, which made it illegal to help someone end their life, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. She argued this violated her rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including life, liberty, security of the person (s. 7), equality (s. 15), and freedom from cruel treatment (s. 12) (Rodriguez v. British Columbia (Attorney General), 1993; The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021).

Justice and Fairness

The Supreme Court’s 1993 decision was split 5–4. The majority emphasized protecting vulnerable people and upholding the state’s duty to preserve life, while the dissenting justices highlighted fairness, autonomy, and equality. Though Rodriguez lost, her case framed assisted dying as a question of justice, balancing the protection of society with the individual right to choose (McMorrow, 2016; Supreme Court of Canada, 1993).

Legal Reform

Sue Rodriguez’s strategy for change was to launch a constitutional challenge against Canada’s Criminal Code ban on assisted suicide, supported by her lawyer and MP Svend Robinson, while also using the media and public debate to raise awareness. She sacrificed her privacy and endured public scrutiny while battling ALS, ultimately choosing to die in 1994 with the help of an anonymous doctor, risking legal consequences for those involved (McMorrow, 2016). Although her case was unsuccessful in 1993, it laid the foundation for future reform. In Carter v. Canada (2015), the Supreme Court overturned Rodriguez, ruling the blanket ban unconstitutional for competent adults in intolerable suffering, which led to Bill C-14 (2016) and later Bill C-7 (2021), creating Canada’s current Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) laws (Supreme Court of Canada, 1993; The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021). Rodriguez was not alive to see the change, but her fight directly shaped the legal reforms that now guarantee this right in Canada.

Impact 

Sue Rodriguez’s fight for the right to die transformed Canadian law and society by sparking national debate on dignity, autonomy, and fairness. While she did not live to see legal change, her case laid the foundation for Carter v. Canada (2015) and the creation of Canada’s MAID laws, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape end-of-life rights today (McMorrow, 2016; The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021).

Catalyst for Legal Debate

Sue Rodriguez’s case immediately forced Canadians to confront the ethical and legal dimensions of assisted dying. Even though she lost at the Supreme Court in 1993, her fight sparked a national conversation on dignity, autonomy, and fairness in end-of-life decisions (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2021).

Foundation for Reform

Although unsuccessful in her lifetime, Rodriguez’s efforts laid the groundwork for future cases. Her arguments were central to the Supreme Court’s reasoning in Carter v. Canada (2015), which struck down the ban and directly led to the creation of Canada’s MAID laws (McMorrow, 2016).

Lasting Legacy

Rodriguez’s fight continues to shape ongoing debates about the scope of MAID, including its expansion in 2021 and its pending inclusion for mental illness cases. Her legacy shows how one individual’s courage can transform Canadian law and influence society’s views on justice and personal autonomy (Supreme Court of Canada, 1993).