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When Canada’s top court struck down a ban on doctor-assisted death Friday morning, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau was reminded of his father’s final days before his death in 2000.

Speaking at the Calgary Petroleum Club a few hours after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of “death with dignity,” Trudeau said he’s hopeful the discussion around the ruling is respectful of the “range of voices” on the controversial issue.

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“This is an issue that personally and deeply touches Canadians and our lives in a way that many public issues sometimes don’t,” Trudeau said. “Like many of us, I sat beside my father’s bed for weeks while he faded. It didn’t come to the point of having to make this decision, but I very well understand the challenges that people are facing.”

Trudeau said it was too early to comment in detail on the ruling, which would allow consenting, severely ill adults with an incurable medical condition — one that causes “intolerable suffering” — to choose when and how they die.

“I look forward in the coming months, even in an election year, to seeing a responsible and reasonable debate and discussion on this, informed by the views of Canadians across the country,” he said.

“I sense that if any party were to try and politicize this because we’re in an election year, Canadians will view them very harshly because of that,” Trudeau added.

estark@calgaryherald.com

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