Issues Emerge As Quebec Prepares To Implement New Euthanasia Law

Quebec’s new law permitting physician assisted suicide for people with terminal illnesses will go into effect on December 10th.  Difficulties are already starting to surface as hospitals and health care providers put together policies to comply with the new law.  There are currently many palliative care doctors who are saying that they will invoke their right to conscientiously object to providing assistance with ending a terminal patient’s life.  Although patients will have the right to physician assisted suicide many might have difficulty finding someone willing to provide the service if a large number of providers refuse on reasons of personal conscience.  There are also many other jurisdictions watching Quebec to see the outcome of the new policy. 

See Allan Woods, Quebec’s split over euthanasia a warning for Canada, Hamilton Community News, September 6, 2015.