Proposed Medical Assistance in Dying Legislation
Proposed federal approach respects personal choice while protecting vulnerable persons
April 14, 2016 – Ottawa, Ontario
Medical assistance in dying is a difficult and deeply personal issue for all Canadians. It is important to defend people's choices and freedoms in a way that protects the most vulnerable, and also supports the personal convictions of health care providers.
Today, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Jody Wilson-Raybould, together with the Minister of Health, Jane Philpott, announced that proposed legislation has been introduced that would give dying patients, who are suffering intolerably from a serious medical condition, the choice of a medically-assisted death.
The proposed legislation has been developed following the Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous decision in Carter v. Canada to strike down the criminal laws against physician-assisted dying. It is the result of extensive consultations with individuals, groups and experts, at home and abroad, and takes into account a range of interests, including personal autonomy and safeguards to protect the vulnerable. This is a compassionate approach that considers all these interests.
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City was appointed to the Special Joint Committee on Physician Assisted Dying. The Committee worked diligently to respond as requested, and on time, by making recommendations that are in the interest of the people of Canada. The Committee’s recommendations were based in part on the thought-provoking submissions the Committee received through more than 20 hours of witness testimony as well as in written briefs.
"I'm pleased that our government tabled this important legislation in the House of Commons today. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that medical assistance in dying is now legal in Canada. As legislators, we must now move this bill through the legislative process to meet the Court-imposed deadline of June 6. The bill is cautious in its approach to this sensitive topic, which reflects the position that many Canadians have taken on this issue. I will be holding a town hall meeting to provide an update on the legislation that was tabled and invite comment from the residents of Cloverdale - Langley City” said Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City and a member of the Special Joint Committee on Physician Assisted Dying “I encourage the constituents to reach out to me if they have questions or concerns at 604-595-6595 or at john.aldag@parl.gc.ca”
The proposed legislation was developed in line with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It would ensure a consistent approach to medical assistance in dying across Canada while recognizing the jurisdiction of provinces and territories over the delivery of health care services.
The proposed measures would revise the Criminal Code to exempt health care practitioners who provide, or help to provide, medical assistance in dying, from otherwise applicable criminal offences.
Moving forward, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Health will appoint one or more independent bodies to study how medical assistance in dying could apply to the issue of advance requests, mature minors, and individuals with mental illnesses.
"Medical assistance in dying is a sensitive, complex issue and many Canadians have deeply-held views on the subject. Recognizing the inherent dignity and equality of all Canadians, we are proposing the choice of a peaceful death for patients with a serious medical condition who are irreversibly declining and suffering intolerably. After the Supreme Court of Canada's (SCC) unanimous decision in Carter, it was no longer a question of whether we would have medical assistance in dying in Canada, but how it would be made available. Based on the current evidence, we believe this is the best approach to ensure that dying patients who are suffering unbearable pain have the choice of a peaceful death and that the vulnerable are protected."
- The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"Every Canadian deserves access to timely and high-quality health care, including at the end of life. The Government of Canada is grateful for the work of the Special Joint Committee, and will engage with the provinces and territories to support consistency in the delivery of medical assistance in dying, as well as to develop a pan- Canadian monitoring system to collect and analyze data, monitor trends and publicly report on the new regime. To implement our commitment to support a full range of end-of-life care options, we will continue to work with provinces and territories to improve palliative care as part of discussions on a new Health Accord. We will also explore options to support access to medical assistance in dying, while supporting the personal convictions of health care providers."
- The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health
For more information:
Gunraj Gill
Office of John Aldag, Member of Parliament
778-389-6353
john.aldag.a1@parl.gc.ca