"We have that rare act of homicide that was committed for caring and altruistic reasons. That is why, for want of a better term, this is called compassionate homicide.

The seven senators were divided on key issues. Four of them, three Conservatives and a Liberal, said laws on assisted suicide should not be changed. Three of them, two Liberals and a Tory, wanted protection under the Criminal Code for those who assist in suicide.

On voluntary euthanasia, the senators split 5-2.

But they were unanimous that a third-degree murder category should be established for "compassionate homicide" that would carry a less severe penalty.

Or rather, everything: the minister read "a checklist of options" to the Senate Special Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, options that ran from leaving the law unchanged to decriminalizing assisted suicide to allowing "compassionate homicide" as a limited defence in murder cases.