Good Samaritan Law / Doctrine
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Obligation to Help Someone in Trouble The common law provinces have no laws making it obligatory for people to help someone in need. Quebec is unique in Canada in imposing a duty on everyone to help a person in peril. The duty to take action stems from the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms enacted in 1975, and the Civil Code. The Charter contains a provision that imposes an obligation to render aid if it can be accomplished without serious risk to the good samaritan or a third person. There is still little jurisprudence interpreting these provisions. Under the Civil Code, every person is obligated to act as a bon pere de famille, broadly defined as a reasonably prudent person. Failure to do so would amount to fault and lead to legal wrong. Some of Canada's provinces have passed "Good Samaritan" Laws: Ontario - Good Samaritan Act, 2001. Alberta - Emergency Medical Aid Act BC - Good Samaritan Act Some Provinces have enacted laws to encourage food donations to the needy by doing away with any liability to sue the donor:
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