OTTAWA – Members of Parliament are voting Monday on potential amendments to the Liberal government’s controversial assisted-death bill, kicking off a week likely to be dominated by the thorny issue of medical help in dying.
Tonight’s voting takes place before the backdrop of the rapidly approaching June 6 deadline, established by the Supreme Court after it struck down Criminal Code provisions on assisted suicide last year.
A final vote on third reading, which would send the legislation to the Senate, is expected Tuesday.
The Liberals insist their bill must be passed by June 6 to avoid a legal “vacuum,” although experts say medical regulators in every province have guidelines doctors must follow in order to help suffering patients.
The bill issue has even created divides among rank-and-file Liberals — former prime minister Paul Martin and former interim leader Bob Rae have stressed it’s more important to get the law right than to meet the deadline.
Once the bill clears the Commons, it faces scrutiny in the Senate, where some senators have questioned its constitutionality, while others have proposed a number of amendments.
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