Quebec politicians take pride in federal assisted-dying legislation

QUEBEC CITY – The assisted-dying law tabled in Ottawa Thursday will have big repercussions across Canada.

In Quebec, where a provincial law has been in place since December, the outcome is significant: citizens will have greater access to doctor-assisted death.

Earlier this month, Jean Brault’s family started speaking out after the 60-year-old Sherbooke man starved himself for two months before doctors helped him die.

READ MORE: Assisted-dying in Canada: What you need to know about the new law

Originally, he was told he didn’t qualify for medically-assisted death because his deteriorating brain illness wasn’t terminal.

Quebec’s Health Minister said the federal legislation goes further than Quebec’s law.

“From what I’ve seen, this bill, the way it is designed, would have allowed him to have access,” said Gaétan Barrette.

READ MORE: Doctors assist with Quebec man’s death after he starved himself for almost 2 months

The federal bill allows assisted-dying, but only in cases of a physical health problem.

“So basically, what this proposition is at first read, is that it’s an extension – in time – of our bill,” Barrette said.

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In Quebec, the Liberals made law a bill that was first proposed by the Parti Québécois.

READ MORE: Assisted dying law excludes minors, dementia patients and mental illness sufferers

Both parties said they are happy they influenced the federal agenda on this important issue.

“I think for Quebec, there’s a sense of pride and I think there’s a sense of pride for our government,” said Justice Minister Stephanie Vallée.

“All the work we’ve done in Quebec, we’ve decided to be pioneers,” explained PQ MNA Véronique Hivon.

“People say how their loved one was able to have medical aid of dying and how it was a source of serenity, of dignity, of peace.”

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The Supreme Court, which struck down a ban on assisted-dying, allowed the law to go further and be extended to mature minors or people with mental health issues.

All the same, advocates in Quebec think the federal law already goes too far and wants the government to put in more safeguards before the law is passed.