Until the Supreme Court ruling on 6 February, it seemed likely that the Canadian Federal government would seek to overturn the legislation under federal criminal law.
The Supreme Court decision will now make that difficult. The government said it will take its time in considering how to respond.
In a further sign of changing attitudes, in August 2014, the Canadian Medical Association altered its long-established opposition to physician assisted dying. Its new policy allows physicians, within the bounds of laws, “to follow their conscience when deciding whether to provide medical aid in dying”.