October 7, 2009: Bill C-384, “An Act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity)”, received its first hour of debate in the Canadian House of Commons. Bloc Quebecois MP Francine Lalonde said she introduced the private member’s bill because:
“I felt confident that Quebeckers and Canadians needed Parliament to amend the Criminal Code to recognize that every person, subject to certain specific conditions, had the right to an end of life that is consistent with the values of dignity and freedom they have always espoused and so that an individual’s wish regarding his or her death would be respected. In fact, I introduced this bill so that people would have a choice, the same right to choose that people in other countries have.”
Of the eight speakers, two Bloc MPs spoke in favour of the bill, while six MPs (Conservative, Liberal and New Democratic Party) spoke against it. Before being voted upon, the bill will be debated for another hour in November. If it passes, it will be sent to committee.
To read the full debate click here