Svend Robinson marks the 25th anniversary of Sue Rodriguez’s death and her battle for the right-to-die

It has been 25 years since Sue Rodriguez became a household name across Canada for her fight to die with dignity. Diagnosed withALS, she wanted to have the right to choose a doctor to help her end her life before the incurable degenerative motor neuron disease paralyzed her body.

One of the people with Rodriguez throughout her fight to change the federal law banning assisted suicide was Svend Robinson. He was initially contacted because of his work as an NDP member of Parliament advocating for right to die legislation to help people with AIDS. He quickly became Rodriguez’s friend as well… and he was with Rodriguez when she chose to end her life.

Rodriguez died Saturday, Feb. 12, 1994 at home after taking a mixture of morphine and secobarbital. She was 43 years old.

Svend Robinson has re-emerged in politics as an NDP candidate in the Burnaby-North Seymour riding. He is in Vancouver today to mark the 25th anniversary of Rodriguez’s death, and to discuss what he perceives as a lack of action from the federal government on the issue of death with dignity for terminally ill Canadians.

Guest: Svend Robinson

NDP federal election candidate in Burnaby North-Seymour

Was a close friend of Sue Rodriguez's and accompanied Sue at her death

It has been 25 years since Sue Rodriguez became a household name across Canada for her fight to die with dignity. Diagnosed withALS, she wanted to have the right to choose a doctor to help her end her life before the incurable degenerative motor neuron disease paralyzed her body.

One of the people with Rodriguez throughout her fight to change the federal law banning assisted suicide was Svend Robinson. He was initially contacted because of his work as an NDP member of Parliament advocating for right to die legislation to help people with AIDS. He quickly became Rodriguez’s friend as well… and he was with Rodriguez when she chose to end her life.

Rodriguez died Saturday, Feb. 12, 1994 at home after taking a mixture of morphine and secobarbital. She was 43 years old.

Svend Robinson has re-emerged in politics as an NDP candidate in the Burnaby-North Seymour riding. He is in Vancouver today to mark the 25th anniversary of Rodriguez’s death, and to discuss what he perceives as a lack of action from the federal government on the issue of death with dignity for terminally ill Canadians.

Guest: Svend Robinson

NDP federal election candidate in Burnaby North-Seymour

Was a close friend of Sue Rodriguez's and accompanied Sue at her death