(Ottawa) Quebec is once again at the forefront in the issue of medical assistance in dying and Ottawa must adjust, according to the leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet. He sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, asking him to decriminalize this “gesture of compassion” after an advance request so that Quebec law can fully apply. His letter, obtained by The Pressfollows the exit on Wednesday of ministers Sonia Bélanger, Simon Jolin-Barrette and Jean-François Roberge who demand an exceptional measure.
“The time is no longer for debate on this crucial question: Quebec is ready to act, you must give it the tools to do so,” writes the Bloc leader.
Time is running out as the federal government must quickly pass Bill C-62 to delay eligibility for medical assistance in dying for three years for people suffering from mental illness. The deadline set out in the legislation for its entry into force is March 17.
There remains a gap between Quebec legislation and federal legislation on advance requests for people suffering from serious and incurable illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s. Federal law does not allow them to be made in advance. Doctors could therefore be exposed to criminal prosecution.
The Minister responsible for Seniors, Sonia Bélanger, the Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, and the Minister responsible for Canadian Relations, Jean-François Roberge, pressed Ottawa on Wednesday to make an exception for Quebec in the Criminal Code.
“We must respect the will of the National Assembly, we must respect the will of the Quebec nation, but we must also think about the human factor,” said Minister Roberge.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland indicated last week that Ottawa did not have a plan to act in this direction. The federal government wants a single Criminal Code that applies the same way from coast to coast. He hesitates to make an exception for Quebec.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, however, affirmed during question period on Wednesday that he welcomed “Quebec’s debates on this with openness” and that the reflection continues.
To speed up the study of the bill, the government can either proceed by gag order or by unanimous consent. The Bloc Québécois will not give its agreement without adding an amendment to allow advance requests.
“Having a comprehensive Criminal Code is the very essence of Canada,” Mr. Blanchet said in an interview. As health is a field of jurisdiction shared between the federal government and the provinces, he believes that the Trudeau government should show flexibility.