Public asked to offer thoughts on medical assistance in dying rules

By Medicine Hat News on January 15, 2020.

The federal government is consulting with Canadians about regulations that affect medical assistance in dying.

On Sept. 11, 2019 a superior court in Quebec struck down an existing provision in Canada’s law on MAID regarding a requirement that a patient seeking MAID needed to be facing a reasonably “foreseeable death.”

The case was brought by two persons living with disabilities. Practitioners who assessed them determined that they met all the eligibility requirements for MAID except they were not nearing the end of life.

“The Court’s ruling will come into effect on March 11, 2020, unless an extension is granted by the Court. While this ruling only applies in the province of Quebec, the Government of Canada has accepted the ruling and has committed to changing the MAID law for the whole country,” states the government’s website.

The federal government is open to hearing your opinion on this aspect of MAID to help inform a legislative response to the Quebec ruling.

“This is an important and sensitive topic, and I encourage constituents to take the opportunity to offer their comments and complete the Questionnaire,” said Glen Motz MP in a press release.

You can use the online link for a form to express your views. Alternatively, if you would prefer a paper copy of the form this is available at Motz’s office: 306 – 2810 13th Avenue SE in Medicine Hat.

All completed forms can be returned to the office or mailed.

The forms must be completed and returned by Jan. 27.

MAID became legal in Canada in June 2016 and Canada’s criminal code now exempts doctors and nurses who provide assistance for MAID.