Talking openly about death can be tough for many people.
But for Price Carter, a retired Canadian pilot from Kelowna, British Columbia, confronting his terminal diagnosis has brought a sense of peace rather than fear.
At 68, Price is preparing to face the end of his life this summer with the same quiet dignity his mother displayed more than a decade ago—a choice that helped shape Canada’s laws around assisted dying.
A Personal Journey with Terminal Illness
Last spring, Price was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, a diagnosis with no cure.
Yet instead of despair, he found acceptance.
“I’m okay with this. I’m not sad,” he shared.
“I’m not clawing for an extra few days on the planet. I’m just here to enjoy myself. When it’s done, it’s done.”
This calm readiness comes from understanding his prognosis and choosing to control how his story ends.
Following in His Mother’s Footsteps
Price’s mother, Kay Carter, played a pivotal role in Canada’s assisted dying debate.
In 2010, at age 89 and after suffering years of painful spinal stenosis, Kay secretly traveled to Switzerland to end her life at Dignitas, a respected assisted dying organization.
At that time, assisted death was illegal in Canada, but Kay’s courageous act ignited a national conversation that eventually led to landmark legal changes.
Five years after Kay’s passing, Canada’s Supreme Court ruled that certain competent adults enduring intolerable suffering have the constitutional right to seek Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).
This landmark decision, known as the Carter ruling, laid the foundation for legislation introduced in 2016 and expanded further in 2021.
Preparing to Use Canada’s Assisted Dying Law
Unlike his mother, Price won’t have to travel abroad.
Thanks to the laws inspired partly by Kay’s story, Price plans to pass away peacefully in a hospice suite, surrounded by his wife Danielle and their three children.
He chose not to die at home because he wants to preserve the happy memories there, rather than have it become a place of mourning.
Price imagines spending his final moments playing board games with his family, then taking medication that will gently end his life.
“Five people walk in, four people walk out, and that’s okay,” he said, reflecting on his mom’s peaceful passing.
“One of the things I got from my mom’s death was how calm and serene it was.”
The Family’s Role in Kay Carter’s Final Goodbye
Price and his siblings were with Kay on her secret trip to Switzerland.
Kay wrote a letter explaining her decision, which the family shared with 150 close friends and relatives after her passing.
The secrecy was necessary to avoid legal repercussions back home.
Price recalls the moment vividly: Kay filled out paperwork, settled in with chocolates, then took a lethal dose of barbiturates.
“When she died, she just gently folded back,” he said, overcome with emotion.
His tears came not from sadness, but from the beauty of a peaceful death after years of suffering.
Living Fully Until the End
Although his energy is waning, Price continues to enjoy swimming and rowing when he can.
Now, he spends time gardening and fixing his pool while awaiting the next medical assessments required for MAID approval.
If approved, he expects his life will end by summer’s close.
He urges people not to shy away from conversations about death.
“Pretending it won’t come doesn’t stop it,” he said.
“We should be allowed to meet it on our own terms.”
The Ongoing Debate Around Assisted Dying in Canada
MAID remains a complex and often controversial issue.
Changes in 2021 introduced the possibility of assisted death for those with mental illnesses, sparking widespread debate and a delay in implementing that clause until 2027.
More recently, Quebec pioneered allowing advanced requests for MAID, helping those with dementia or Alzheimer’s secure their wishes ahead of losing capacity.
Price believes this approach should be national, noting that denying advanced requests forces many Canadians to endure prolonged suffering and fear.
Advocating for Compassionate Choice Nationwide
Price’s call for broader acceptance of advanced MAID requests is echoed by organizations like Dying with Dignity Canada.
Public opinion polling shows strong support for such policies, emphasizing the desire many Canadians have to face death with dignity and autonomy.
Assisted Dying Statistics Reflect Growing Acceptance
Data from 2023 reveals nearly 20,000 Canadians applied for MAID, with over 15,000 approvals.
Most cases involved those with reasonably foreseeable deaths, indicating that assisted dying is becoming a more accepted part of end-of-life care in Canada.
Looking Ahead
Price Carter’s story embodies the deeply personal and evolving nature of assisted dying in Canada—a journey shaped by love, loss, and the right to choose one’s own final chapter.
As the country continues to navigate these challenging ethical and legal questions, voices like his offer powerful reminders about dignity, peace, and the importance of choice at life’s end.