Lauzon Concerned About Direction of Physician-Assisted Dying Legislation

CORNWALL- Local Member

of Parliament Guy Lauzon (Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry) raised concerned regarding safeguards after the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying released its report and recommendations for a federal framework on physician-assisted dying last week.

Quick Facts

Last year’s Supreme Court decision required the government to revisit Canada’s longstanding prohibition against euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The Conservative Party continues to demand that any legislation put forward by the Liberal government include both stringent safeguards to protect vulnerable populations, and protection of the conscience rights of workers and institutions in the health care sector.
Some Members of Parliament from the Conservative Party have appended a Dissenting Report noting many issues that the main Committee failed to address.

Quotes

“I am very concerned about how few limits and safeguards are recommended in the Committee’s Report. While the Supreme Court ruled that legislation must be enacted, the Report goes way too far in providing a very open-ended structure on this sensitive issue. I will be encouraging all Members in the house to protect the sanctity of life and protect vulnerable persons like children and those coping with mental illness.”

-Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

“We expect the Liberal Government to follow the Conservative Party’s lead and allow all Members of Parliament an opportunity to thoroughly debate and examine this issue when they table their legislation.”

-Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry