In a recent development that has resonated within the community of Park-Extension, the Quebec government has intensified its demands for the federal government to amend the Criminal Code. This amendment is crucial for Quebec to proceed with advanced requests for medical assistance in dying (MAID) as early as this fall.
The heart of the issue lies in Quebec’s readiness to move forward with MAID for individuals with cognitive illnesses leading to incapacity, such as Alzheimer’s disease. This move is proposed to happen almost a year earlier than initially planned. However, Quebec faces a significant hurdle as the federal government shows reluctance to modify the Criminal Code accordingly.
This impasse has prompted Quebec ministers, including Sonia Bélanger (Health), Simon Jolin-Barrette (Justice), and Jean-François Roberge (Canadian Relations), to advocate for conditional legislation. This approach would allow the Criminal Code to enable advanced requests only in provinces like Quebec, where such a policy is desired. This strategy is like the regulatory framework governing lotteries in Canada, where the practice is forbidden unless a provincial government chooses to authorize it.
The urgency of this matter for the Quebec government is highlighted by their request for the federal Health Minister to amend a bill introduced last week. This bill aims to extend the eligibility period for individuals with mental health disorders by three years and would include provisions for advanced requests.
This push by Quebec officials comes after a series of discussions with their federal counterparts, which reportedly showed no signs of willingness to accommodate Quebec’s policy on advanced requests. Despite numerous attempts, the federal response has been seen as non-committal.
Interestingly, this issue is not unique to Quebec. As early as 2021, the Quebec Special Commission on MAID recommended that adults suffering from serious illnesses that will lead to incapacity be allowed to make advanced requests. A similar sentiment was echoed in Ottawa, where an independent joint committee on MAID supported the same idea a year ago.
Luc Thériault, a federal MP from the Bloc Québécois and vice-chair of the joint committee on MAID, expressed frustration over the Trudeau government’s inaction. Despite a coast-to-coast consensus on advanced requests, only Conservative MPs have shown systematic reluctance. Thériault is urging the Liberal government to muster the courage to address this issue promptly, especially given the looming electoral deadline.
His concerns are amplified by the possibility that a Conservative government could indefinitely delay access to MAID, leaving many in unnecessary suffering. This sentiment resonates strongly in Park-Extension, a community known for its advocacy for compassionate and equitable healthcare access.
