OTTAWA – Green MPs Elizabeth May and Bruce Hyer have added added their names as joint-seconders to two landmark Private Member’s Bills from Conservative MP Stephen Fletcher aimed at providing relief, compassion and dignity to Canadians who choose to end their own lives.
“Canadians are demanding better answers when it comes to assisted suicide,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands. “Of course, this is a very complex issue, but in limited circumstances and provided legal safeguards are in place, our society should honour the choices of informed adults who wish to die with dignity in their own country.”
“I am proud to support both of Mr. Fletcher’s bills,” said Green Deputy Leader Bruce Hyer, MP for Thunder Bay–Superior North. “A thoughtful, respectful and informed debate on end-of-life issues is long overdue in this country, and I applaud my colleague’s courage in beginning the conversation.”
Steven Fletcher, MP for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, introduced bill C-581, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (physician-assisted death) on March 27. The bill would decriminalize physician-assisted suicide for persons over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with an illness or disability that causes intolerable physical or psychological suffering, with no chance of improvement.
Fletcher also introduced bill C-582, An Act to establish the Canadian Commission on Physician-Assisted Death, which would create federal commission to provide public information and to support law and policy reform on physician-assisted death in Canada.
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Contact:
Nicholas Gall
Communications Coordinator
Green Party of Canada
(613) 614 4916
nicholas.gall@greenparty.ca