Québec debating protocols for expanding euthanasia law.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Québec debates euthanasia expansion

You may remember that Québec legalized euthanasia before Canada's federal government legalized euthanasia. The Québec National Assembly is now debating further expansions of the euthanasia law and pressure the federal government to further expand killing in Canada.

In December 2014, Andrew Coyne, a former editor of the National Post, in response to the Québec euthanasia law wrote - What begins in compassion seems to end in eugenics. In response to the same Québec euthanasia law I wrote the article - Euthanasia: Theory and Reality.

Steve Rukavina reported for CBC News that the Québec committee hearings on the Evolution of the Act respecting end-of-life care is discussing the protocols for expanding euthanasia to people with mental illness alone. Rukavina states:

Quebec's National Assembly committee will issue a final report this fall, which will likely have some influence on Ottawa.

The CAQ government also backed off its own plan to open up assisted dying to people with mental illness in 2020, a move which ultimately led to the creation of this committee.

For the next two weeks the committee will hear testimony from experts including doctors, professors and lawyers.

During a second round of hearings in the summer lobby groups and individuals will have their chance to weigh in.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition will keep you up-to-date on the workings of the Québec committee.