Discussion · Government Orders
Yves Perron Bloc Québécois
“We should not rush this bill. We must take the time to study it properly. Health care belongs to the provinces, and Quebec already has its own rules for medical assistance in dying. I do not want this federal law to override Quebec's law or put stricter limits on it.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question and for listening. He clearly paid close attention to both parts of my speech. I am pleased that he agrees with me that we should not rush this bill through. I trust that he will work within his party to ensure that we take the time necessary to do this properly. That is my understanding. What I was emphasizing in my remarks is that it is important to make sure that the federal law does not interfere with the application of Quebec’s law. That is important. Provincial and Quebec legislation must have the flexibility to reflect their own societal choices, and the health care aspect is part of that. Health care falls within the jurisdiction of the provinces and Quebec. That was what I was getting at. My colleague mentioned trusted third persons. All of that is already covered by Quebec law. There is a risk that the federal Parliament will step in and override this. We know that the federal law will take precedence. There is a danger that it could be more restrictive.”
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question and for listening. He clearly paid close attention to both parts of my speech. I am pleased that he agrees with me that we should not rush this bill through. I trust that he will work within his party to ensure that we take the time necessary to do this properly. That is my understanding. What I was emphasizing in my remarks is that it is important to make sure that the federal law does not interfere with the application of Quebec’s law. That is important. Provincial and Quebec legislation must have the flexibility to reflect their own societal choices, and the health care aspect is part of that. Health care falls within the jurisdiction of the provinces and Quebec. That was what I was getting at. My colleague mentioned trusted third persons. All of that is already covered by Quebec law. There is a risk that the federal Parliament will step in and override this. We know that the federal law will take precedence. There is a danger that it could be more restrictive.