Ottawa to introduce legislation to delay expansion of medical assistance in dying
(Ottawa) The federal government is expected to introduce legislation as early as Thursday to delay expanding eligibility for medical assistance in dying to people whose only underlying condition is mental illness.
DAVID FRASERTHE CANADIAN PRESSJustice Minister David Lametti announced last December that Ottawa intended to ask for a delay after hearing concerns that the health care system was not ready.
Asked about this on Wednesday, the minister did not advance as to the precise length of this delay.
"I can't answer that, because that's exactly what the bill is about," he said. My colleagues in Parliament have the right to learn this first. »
The government has tabled a notice in the House of Commons that a bill on medical assistance in dying is
being prepared, so it could be tabled as early as Thursday.
An update to Canada's law on medical assistance in dying passed in spring 2021 included a temporary exclusion for people "whose only medical condition is a mental illness," even if they meet all other eligibility criteria. This exclusion was to expire two years later, in mid-March.
However, since these conditions are enshrined in law, an amendment is required to change the timeline. Lametti expects all parties and senators to agree to proceed quickly, given the short time available to Parliament.
Initially, the Liberal government did not plan to extend the law to people whose only underlying condition is mental illness. However, he approved a Senate amendment to that effect, since senators argued that the exclusion of persons with mental illness would be contrary to their right to equal treatment under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
For their part, the Conservatives have said that providing medical assistance in dying to people whose only underlying condition is mental illness could lead to preventable deaths. They point out that, unlike physical illnesses, it is more difficult for health professionals to tell when a mental health problem is serious to the point that it can no longer be treated.
Conservative MP Michael Cooper said the government's decision to ask for an extension illustrates its "reckless approach" to expanding the regime. He said the Liberals should abandon the expansion of the program altogether.
"It should never have come to this," Cooper said. They are introducing their bill at the last minute because they ignored the experts, who said it could not be done safely at this time, from the beginning. »
An expert panel on medical assistance in dying and mental illness that the government formed to study
the issue concluded last May that more time was not needed.
Rather, he argued that the existing eligibility criteria and safeguards were adequate "as long as they are appropriately interpreted to take into account the specificity of mental illness."
DAVID FRASERTHE CANADIAN PRESSJustice Minister David Lametti announced last December that Ottawa intended to ask for a delay after hearing concerns that the health care system was not ready.
Asked about this on Wednesday, the minister did not advance as to the precise length of this delay.
"I can't answer that, because that's exactly what the bill is about," he said. My colleagues in Parliament have the right to learn this first. »
The government has tabled a notice in the House of Commons that a bill on medical assistance in dying is
being prepared, so it could be tabled as early as Thursday.
An update to Canada's law on medical assistance in dying passed in spring 2021 included a temporary exclusion for people "whose only medical condition is a mental illness," even if they meet all other eligibility criteria. This exclusion was to expire two years later, in mid-March.
However, since these conditions are enshrined in law, an amendment is required to change the timeline. Lametti expects all parties and senators to agree to proceed quickly, given the short time available to Parliament.
Initially, the Liberal government did not plan to extend the law to people whose only underlying condition is mental illness. However, he approved a Senate amendment to that effect, since senators argued that the exclusion of persons with mental illness would be contrary to their right to equal treatment under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
For their part, the Conservatives have said that providing medical assistance in dying to people whose only underlying condition is mental illness could lead to preventable deaths. They point out that, unlike physical illnesses, it is more difficult for health professionals to tell when a mental health problem is serious to the point that it can no longer be treated.
Conservative MP Michael Cooper said the government's decision to ask for an extension illustrates its "reckless approach" to expanding the regime. He said the Liberals should abandon the expansion of the program altogether.
"It should never have come to this," Cooper said. They are introducing their bill at the last minute because they ignored the experts, who said it could not be done safely at this time, from the beginning. »
An expert panel on medical assistance in dying and mental illness that the government formed to study
the issue concluded last May that more time was not needed.
Rather, he argued that the existing eligibility criteria and safeguards were adequate "as long as they are appropriately interpreted to take into account the specificity of mental illness."
DAVID FRASER
PRESS
Ottawa to introduce legislation to delay expansion of medical assistance in dying | The Press (lapresse.ca)
PRESS
Ottawa to introduce legislation to delay expansion of medical assistance in dying | The Press (lapresse.ca)
