Assisted-death bill not ‘cut and paste’
Justice minister says ‘difficult task’ of weighing perspectives lies ahead
OTTAWA— Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould told the House of Commons Friday that responding to a landmark Supreme Court decision is never as simple as “copy-and-pasting” the words from a judgment — especially on an issue as complex as doctor-assisted death.
MPs have begun what is sure to be a long and emotional debate over Bill C-14.
“There will always be a diversity of opinion about what is required to respond to a particular judgment, but it falls to Parliament not only to respect the court’s decision but also listen to the diverse voices and decide what the public interest demands,” Wilson-Raybould said.
“It is never as simple as . . . copy and pasting the words from a court judgment into new law . . . Parliament faces a difficult task in addressing this issue. It must weigh and balance the perspectives of those who might be at risk in a permissive regime against those who seek assistance in dying.”
The legislation as it stands respects personal autonomy, protects the vulnerable and affirms the inherent val- ue in every human life, she added.
“The bill would create a consistent national floor in terms of eligibility and procedural safeguards under the federal criminal law power which is there to ensure the safety of all Canadians.”
The legislation, which has been panned by critics on both sides of the assisted-death debate, is consistent with both the Supreme Court’s decision as well as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, she added.
Conservative MP Scott Reid raised concerns about the bill during Friday’s debate, noting he has hesitations about the terminology that permits access to competent adults “whose deaths are reasonably foreseeable.”
“I ask this question to the minister: Would she object to an amendment to this legislation in the committee process that would give a definition to the term ‘reasonably foreseeable’ so this is not left up to other individuals who may apply different standards?” Reid asked.
Wilson-Raybould said there would be opportunities to closely examine the bill, adding the language used in the legislation “purposefully provided” flexibility to medical practitioners to use their own expertise.