Discussion · Government Orders
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Québécois
“I think each person should get to decide for themselves what dignity means. Some people want medical assistance in dying because they do not want to reach a point of suffering where they are no longer themselves. Can the member understand that point of view?”
“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his contribution to this debate. At the beginning of his speech, he said that a person’s dignity is not diminished by their suffering or by their dependence on others. Should that not be a personal choice? Should we not trust each individual to decide where to draw the line in terms of when their dignity is at risk? My colleague’s personal position is entirely valid. However, there are those who think differently and who want to be able to use medical assistance in dying to end their lives when they feel that, by a certain point, they will be experiencing so much suffering that they would no longer be themselves. Can my colleague understand that position?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his contribution to this debate. At the beginning of his speech, he said that a person’s dignity is not diminished by their suffering or by their dependence on others. Should that not be a personal choice? Should we not trust each individual to decide where to draw the line in terms of when their dignity is at risk? My colleague’s personal position is entirely valid. However, there are those who think differently and who want to be able to use medical assistance in dying to end their lives when they feel that, by a certain point, they will be experiencing so much suffering that they would no longer be themselves. Can my colleague understand that position?