Closing arguments have begun in the legal case of of two Montrealers with incurable degenerative diseases who are fighting for improved access to medically assisted death.
Nicole Gladu, 73, suffers from post-polio syndrome and Jean Truchon, 51, has cerebral palsy.
They were denied medically-assisted death because they were not considered at the end of their life.
The federal and provincial governments have argued that the requirement is necessary to protect vulnerable people who may make impulsive decisions to end their lives.
Gladu and Truchon are challenging the constitutionality of the laws.
Lawyers for Gladu and Truchon began arguments before Quebec Superior Court Justice Christine Baudouin saying that there is enough in the law to protect more vulnerable people.
They also argued that their clients are not suffering from depression and don't have suicidal tendencies but rather, made well-informed decisions to end their lives on their own terms.
The lead lawyer, Jean-Pierre Ménard argued that the provincial and federal laws go against a Supreme Court ruling that decriminalized medically assisted dying and suggested that suffering was among the criteria allowing access to medical aid in dying.
Ménard said both Gladu and Truchon endure unbearable pain and suffering every day: Gladu having to make conscious efforts just to breathe and Truchon suffering pain that feels like being burned and having to take seven painkillers daily.
Gladu said while she may be vulnerable physically, she still has all of her faculties and wants to be able to "control her own destiny."
"It doesn't make sense for me that a law should be that much subjected to subjective interpretation," Gladu told reporters.
"My death should be honourable and should be conscious."
Closing arguments are scheduled to continue until next week.