An AIDS patient lies in bed at Buddhist temple Wat Prabat Namphu in Lopburi province, north of Bangkok September 4, 2014. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
An AIDS patient lies in bed at Buddhist temple Wat Prabat Namphu in Lopburi province, north of Bangkok September 4, 2014. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

A whopping 87 per cent of Canadians have stated expressed support to doctor-assisted suicide in Canada. Moreover, the poll's findings likewise revealed whose who are in favour of the scheme transcended sex and religion or faith.

The Supreme Court of Canada is scheduled to hear arguments for and against assisted suicide next week, specifically the option to end the lives of those suffering from terminal illnesses.

Conducted in August, the poll asked more than 2500 people and their opinions if a doctor should be allowed to help a terminally ill and suffering adult for assistance to die. The poll was conducted by Ipsos Reid and commissioned by Dying With Dignity Canada,

Wanda Morris, CEO of Dying With Dignity Canada, said the results showed surprising results which connote that Canadians no longer treat the issue as highly sensitive or controversial. An overwhelming majority believed they have the right to end their own lives if they seem it appropriate, and that they also have a right to seek help from a physician in order to do that.

The Ipsos Reid poll revealed Canadians would support "assisted dying" if strong safeguards were in place. Under Canada's Criminal code, euthanasia is highly regarded as murder. People convicted of murder in Canada face 14 years life in prison.

Twenty-one years ago, euthanasia or assisted dying is considered a highly taboo topic in Canada. But times have changed, Canadians said. As people get more aware of their medical conditions, so are their rights or options how to go about the remainder of their lives.

"Our values have changed. So have our expectations. Our laws, and our lawmakers, have not kept pace," the Globe and Mail said, which noted that there are at least 250,000 people dying a year in Canada.

Dr. Brett Belchetz, an ER physician, told NewsTalk 1010 he had always been besieged by patients or families of patients who want to end their lives but cannot do so themselves. "Something has to change. We have to do something to help these people because it's not all about quantity of life it's about quality of life."

Among Canada's provinces, Nova Scotia gave the highest support at 89 percent, followed by BC at 87 percent. Saskatchewan and Manitoba gave the lowest at 79 per cent.

Categorised by sex, both men and women strongly supported the mode at over 80 percent. By religion or faith, 80 per cent of Christians were found supportive of doctor-assisted suicide. Surprisingly, 83 percent of Catholics also favour the measure.