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OTTAWA, November 11, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Even as a British Columbia court is preparing to begin hearing a case that challenges Canada’s laws against euthanasia next week, the pro-life arm of the Canadian bishops conference has urged Catholic Canadians to join the fight the legalization of euthanasia.

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) issued a letter to the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC), supporting the organization’s intervention in the Carter v Attorney General of Canada case, which will begin to be heard on Monday, November 14, 2011.

The COLF letter also encourages all Canadians to sign a petition to the Attorney General of Canada launched by the EPC, urging the AG to make the strongest possible opposition to the legalization of euthanasia and/or assisted suicide in Canada.

The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) launched the Carter case last April, claiming that Canada’s provisions against euthanasia and assisted suicide, as found in the Criminal code, are unconstitutional since they violate what they call the individual’s “right” to die.

The suit was launched on behalf of the family of Kay Carter, who died by assisted suicide at the Swiss Dignitas suicide center in January 2010.

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family was co-founded by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus, with the mission of promoting respect for human life and dignity, and the essential role of the family.

The EPC’s petition is available in two formats, a downloadable PDF format and an online petition. Both formats will be sent to the AG.

The printed petition is available in French and English and can be downloaded from the EPC website here.

The online petition is available here.

The paper petitions need to be returned to EPC at the address on the petition by December 31, 2011.