The fight for assisted dying: Iceland and Ireland
Webinars | February 17, 2026
The fight for assisted dying: Iceland and Ireland
Since Bill C-14 passed in 2016, people across Canada have had the constitutional right to seek an assessment for a medically assisted death. Around the world, however, many nations are still navigating how their laws respect bodily autonomy, personal choice, and end-of-life rights when it comes to the right-to-die. But which nations are actively working to secure assisted dying, and how close are they to achieving change?
On February 11th, Eastern, Dying With Dignity Canada crossed borders to showcase the fight for assisted dying in Iceland and Ireland, exploring their histories, public perceptions, and advocacy efforts. We sat down with with Justin McKenna from End of Life Ireland and Ingrid Kuhlman from Lífsvirðing to learn how these organizations are working to ensure that choice, compassion, and dignity at the end of life are recognized.
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Speakers
Ingrid Kuhlman is the chair of Lífsvirðing, the Icelandic Right to Die Society, established in 2017, which works to foster an open and constructive public conversation about assisted dying and advocates for legislation that would allow it under clearly defined conditions and strict safeguards. Ingrid’s personal connection to the issue runs deep: her father was among the first people in the Netherlands to receive legal assisted dying in April 2002, just eleven days after the law came into effect. She has since written numerous articles exploring various aspects of assisted dying.
In addition to her advocacy work, Ingrid is an experienced trainer and consultant at her own company, Þekkingarmiðlun, which provides training, workshops, and professional development for individuals and organisations. She earned her MSc in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from Bucks New University (UK) in 2018.
Justin McKenna’s advocacy for end-of-life choice is deeply personal and informed by decades of professional experience. His wife of 40 years, Clare, died in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic after a prolonged illness, having been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019. Clare and Justin raised four children, all of whom are now married, and he is a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren.
Through his long-standing legal work on advance healthcare directives, enduring powers of attorney, and decision-making capacity, as well as his experience supporting his wife through serious illness, Justin became a committed advocate for justice, compassion, and equality at the end of life.
Justin is closely involved with End of Life Ireland (EOLI) and has represented the organization internationally, including at the World Federation of Right to Die Societies conferences in Toronto in 2022 and Dublin in 2024. He has also testified before an Irish parliamentary committee on assisted dying and continues to support EOLI’s work to promote public awareness and legislative change in Ireland.
