On Parliament Hill

Earlier this week, the Liberal Government tabled Bill C-7, expanding access to medical assistance in dying (MAID).

Back in September, a Québec court ruled that it was unconstitutional to limit MAID to people whose death was “reasonably foreseeable.”

Rather than appealing the ruling, the Trudeau Liberals instead proposed new legislation which will ease a number of important safeguards intended to protect vulnerable individuals. Bill C-7 repeals the requirement that the patient’s death must be ‘reasonably foreseeable’ for them to be eligible for MAID.  It would also remove the 10-day “reflection period” which served to ensure individuals had appropriate time to consider their decision.

Canada’s Conservatives are closely reviewing the government’s new legislation.

Our Party’s priority is ensuring this legislation includes safeguards for the most vulnerable in our society, as well as for the conscience rights of physicians and other healthcare professionals.

It is important to add that the Liberal Government broke a key election commitment to invest $3-billion in long-term care, including palliative care. Access to palliative care is an essential part of end-of-life decision making.

Rather than expanding MAID the government should be keeping their promises and expanding palliative care.