Dear Editor,
On Feb. 6, 2015 the Supreme Court of Canada made a decision to allow medical assistance in dying in Canada and directed Parliamentarians to respond by enacting legislation consistent with the constitutional parameters set out in the Carter v. Canada ruling.
Despite the fact that the court gave Parliament 12 months to enact legislation before relevant aspects of the Criminal Code became void, the former government did nothing for five months.
Our Liberal government respects the Supreme Court’s decision and is committed to enacting legislation for medical assistance in dying.
Death is a deeply personal matter, so we have created legislation that ensures adequate safeguards are in place to protect the vulnerable.
Bill C-14 is patient-centered legislation providing the opportunity for a compassionate death for those who so choose.
Moreover, balancing the rights of medical providers and those of patients is generally a matter of provincial and territorial responsibility and we need to respect that.
I am committed to continuing discussion on this important issue as the bill passes through the Senate, and during the review stage in six months time.
I encourage my constituents to reach out to me at John.Aldag@parl.gc.ca.
John Aldag,
Member of Parliament
Cloverdale-Langley City