Liberal's to debate euthanasia at their February 20 - 23, 2014 convention in Montreal

Post Media News is reporting that the Liberal Party of Canada will likely debate euthanasia at their February 20 - 23 party convention in Montreal.

Resolution 90: Assisted suicide:

"BE IT RESOLVED that voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide be permitted under the Criminal Code of Canada in the circumstances set out by Justice Smith in her decision in the British Columbia case of Carter v. Canada (Attorney General)."
Post Media News reported:

The Young Liberals of Canada are the driving force behind the move after they agreed to sponsor a resolution calling for the legalization of doctor-assisted suicide, Postmedia News has learned. 

While a proposal to support legalizing prostitution may not even make it onto the larger convention floor, the resolution on euthanasia is expected to be tagged a priority, which would mean it must be debated by all delegates during the Feb. 20-23 policy convention. 

Euthanasia has emerged as a hot political topic given Canada’s aging population and several high-profile cases, including one legal challenge in British Columbia that the Supreme Court said Thursday it would hear.

The article continued:

Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay and Health Minister Rona Ambrose have said the Conservative government has no interest in re-opening a debate on the issue in the House of Commons. 

It’s unclear whether the proposal will receive much support from Liberals at the policy convention. But there is a clear precedent for a policy resolution being adopted at a Liberal convention and later finding its way into Liberal leader Justin Trudeau’s plans.

Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau, has not publicly stated his position on euthanasia. The article stated:

...during an event at Ryerson University in Toronto this past September. 

Trudeau said he welcomed a national “conversation” on the issue “that isn’t looking to scoring points or looking forward to trying to paint your opponent into a corner as unreasonable or irresponsible.” 

“It’s a very, very delicate and important debate for us to have,” he said in response to a student’s question. 

But Trudeau also admitted to having reservations about legalizing euthanasia. 

“I have a concern that until we have quality palliative care in this country for everyone who needs it, euthanasia could sometimes be a shortcut,” he said. “And I know in many cases it wouldn’t be. But if we’re not getting quality, end-of-life care, then there is an idea that maybe it would be cheaper or easier to simply engage in that. And that’s one of my real concerns about going down that path.” 

Trudeau spokeswoman Kate Purchase said in an email Thursday that because the issue is now before the Supreme Court, “it would be inappropriate to prejudge the outcomes,” and that the Liberal leader will “await their guidance.”

At their policy convention in Calgary (November 1 - 2, 2013) the Conservative Party of Canada passed a resolution stating that:

the government will not support any bill that would legalize euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Most of the Liberal Members of Parliament voted against Bill C-384 on April 10, 2010. Bill C-384 would have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.