Quebec to introduce new version of medical assistance in dying bill
Quebec's Minister of Health and Seniors, Sonia Bélanger, will table a new version of the bill that aims to expand medical assistance in dying (MAID), next year.
She is taking over the bill from Health Minister Christian Dubé, who failed last June to pass Bill 38, which would have allowed people with Alzheimer's disease, for example, to make an early request.
"The minister will table a new version of the bill on medical assistance in dying," Sarah Bigras, the minister's press secretary, told The Canadian Press on Monday.
She did not specify if this would be done at the beginning of the next parliamentary session, in February, or what changes will be made.
One thing is certain: between now and the "holiday season," Bélanger will meet with the various parties in the assembly, said Bigras. The minister wishes to "work in collaboration" and "exchange with them on this subject."
"This is an important issue for Quebec society and we want to include all political parties in this discussion," added the press secretary.
A lot of work has already been done on the issue of expanding MAID.
The all-party parliamentary committee that analyzed the issue in depth submitted its report in December 2021.
It held 14 days of hearings and heard from about 100 stakeholders and experts, not counting the 80 or so briefs received and the 3,000 members of the public who participated in the online consultation.
Last June, many people mourned the failure of Bill 38.
Dubé had waited until the very end of the spring session to introduce it. He had to urgently withdraw a provision concerning severe neuromotor disabilities.
Due to a lack of time, the MNAs were unable to adopt it.The woman who is considered the "mother" of medical aid in dying, former PQ MNA Véronique Hivon, was very upset and did not hide her great disappointment.
"We would have all fervently hoped to be able to adopt this bill, with all our hearts," she commented at a press conference.
The Quebec Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (QARDD) had invited the members of the legislature to roll up their sleeves and get back to work this fall, once the election was over.
"It shouldn't take a year," said Sandra Demontigny, president of the QARDD, who herself has early onset and hereditary Alzheimer's disease.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press in French on Dec. 5, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Loblaw ends No Name price freeze, vows 'flat' pricing 'wherever possible'
Loblaw will not be extending its price freeze on No Name brand products, but vows to keep the yellow label product-pricing flat 'wherever possible.'

Family in remote northern Ont. reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed
A family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau meets the moment – and ducks for cover
Based on Justin Trudeau's first-day fail in the House of Commons, 'meeting the moment' is destined to become the most laughable slogan since the elder Pierre Trudeau’s disastrous campaign rallying cry in 1972, which insisted 'the land is strong' just as the economy tanked.
Canada Post honours Chloe Cooley with stamp in time for Black History Month
A young Black woman who resisted her own enslavement in Queenston, Upper Canada, in the late 18th century is being honoured by Canada Post.
Canadian economy grew slightly in November, expected to slow further
The Canadian economy grew by 0.1 per cent in November as higher interest rates began to slow spending toward the end of the year.
Pakistan blames 'security lapse' for mosque blast; 100 dead
A suicide bombing that struck inside a mosque at a police and government compound in northwest Pakistan reflects 'security lapses,' current and former officials said as the death toll from the devastating blast climbed to 100 on Tuesday.
'Laverne & Shirley' actor Cindy Williams dies at 75
Cindy Williams, who was among the most recognizable stars in America in the 1970s and 80s for her role as Shirley opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne on the beloved sitcom 'Laverne & Shirley,' has died, her family said Monday.
Federal agency targeting illegal wildlife trade through financial intelligence
Canada's financial intelligence agency is stepping up the fight against the illicit wildlife trade by taking aim at the criminals who reap big profits from the global racket.
Russian business offers cash bounties to destroy Western tanks in Ukraine
A Russian company said it will offer five million roubles (US$72,000) in cash to the first soldiers who destroy or capture western-made tanks in Ukraine, after the Kremlin vowed Russian forces would wipe out any Western tanks shipped to Ukraine.