A British Columbia hospice that refused to offer medical assistance in dying has sent layoff notices to all clinical staff.

Senator Michael Macdonald pointed out that the drug midazolam has resulted in adverse reactions during U.S. executions.

But while parliamentarians must be guided by court rulings, Sen. Marc Gold argued Tuesday they also have a duty to try to balance competing rights and interests.

The request for an extension came Friday after the Conservatives held up passage of Bill C-7 for two weeks in the House of Commons.

His wife of 48 years, Katherine Sorenson, lost a bid to stop his medically assisted death after it was rejected Friday by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.

Elizabeth Van den Eynden also said she could find no realistic ground for appeal and no material inconsistencies in the assessments provided by medical professionals.

The man says he is near the end of his life due to advanced chronic disease, but his wife maintains his wish to die is based on anxiety and delusions.

"We're gravely concerned that people are going to be forced into euthanizing themselves because there's no palliative care facilities."

A Quebec court has given the federal government more time to amend its assisted-dying legislation.

Amendments proposed to reduce barriers to assisted death are being welcomed by the adviser for Saskatchewan's MAID program.