QUESTION PERIOD — Justice
Medical Assistance in Dying
May 15, 2020
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. The deadline that was given to the government for introducing a new bill following the Superior Court of Quebec ruling in Truchon has been extended to July 11. As you know, it is not very likely that Parliament will resume its regular activities before the fall.
My question is the following: Did the government ask the Superior Court for an extension because of the pandemic? If not, how does it plan to proceed?
Thank you for your question. According to the information that I have, the government has not asked for an extension to date. However, I share the honourable senator’s opinion that the government will most likely be required to ask the court for an extension, since Parliament is not sitting on a regular basis and the bill must be debated. This is an extremely important, sensitive and controversial issue. As soon as I know the next steps, I will inform honourable senators and the chamber.
Thank you for your answer. Obviously, this issue affects many Canadians and pertains to deeply held values. I agree with you that this is important.
Can you assure us that the government will debate this bill before a parliament holding regular sittings and not before a skeleton parliament?
Canadians and the Parliament of Canada have the duty to deal with this bill in a diligent and serious manner. I would oppose an approach in which this bill is dealt with—
— any other way than completely.
Sorry. I couldn’t think of what I was trying to say in French.
It is important that this issue be diligently discussed, debated and examined in both chambers of Parliament, as we did recently. The Senate met the constitutional expectations and did its job. It must continue to do that.
We have one minute left.
