By Staff
January 16th, 2020
BURLINGTON, OM
On Monday the Government of Canada launched an online consultation regarding changes to our current law on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).
The online consultation will be open until Monday, January 27th. If you are interested in participating please click here.
MPP Pam Damoff speaking in the House of Commons
Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff said today that: “Our government understands that medical assistance in dying is a difficult, complex, and deeply personal issue. We know that Canadians have diverse and evolving views, all of which need to be heard and respected. Over the coming weeks the Government of Canada will be holding extensive consultations with patients, practitioners, stakeholders, disability advocates and Canadians of all stripes.
There are strongly held views on the issue.
“This current consultation stems from a September 2019 judgement by the Supreme Court of Quebec. This decision struck down existing provisions in Canada’s law on MAID related to the requirements that a patient’s death be reasonably foreseeable. Our government has chosen not to appeal this ruling, and instead we are committed to reviewing and updating the current law.
“Any future legislation will ensure that the most vulnerable are protected, and that the personal autonomy of those seeking medical assistance in dying is respected.”
A news report published in June of 2018 said:
Almost 4,000 people have chosen medical assistance to end their lives since the practice became legal in Canada two years ago.
That includes 1,525 in the last six months of 2017 — a 29 per cent increase over the first half of the year.
The statistics are contained in a third interim report from Health Canada, which is planning to implement a permanent, national reporting and monitoring system for assisted deaths in the fall.
Editor’s note: The Gazette is interested in publishing comments and opinions of personal views of MAID – Medical Assistance in Dying.
