Provencher MP Ted Falk is very engaged in the discussion in Parliament of a new law on physician-assisted death. Falk is vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights which is currently holding hearings on the proposed Bill.
He says they are hearing many strong sentiments from both ends of the spectrum.

"We've listened to a real broad range of opinions from extremes that have suggested almost no limits to other extremes that have suggested that we push the government to invoke Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which would be the notwithstanding clause (to ban the practice altogether) and we've listened to everything in between."

He notes they have heard from many religious groups who are highly concerned about the law.

"We have had testimony from almost all of the faith groups, from different Christian faith organizations, Jewish representation, Muslims have come and presented, and they all have a consistent message. And that is that life is precious and that we need to recognize, as did the Carter decision, the sanctity of life. And that is something is something that folks from the civil liberties groups pay no regard to."

Falk says he is optimistic the committee will recommend the addition of safeguards to protect health care providers who choose not to assist in the death of patients based on their conscience.

"Certainly one of the overriding safeguards that's presently not in the Bill, which I do expect to see in the Bill, and I hope I'm correct in this, and that is conscience rights protections for health care providers. That is not in the Bill but needs to be put in the Bill and there've been suggestions that it could be similar to the way it is in the Civil Marriage Act, that nobody is forced to perform a procedure that would contravene their conscience, whether it's based on their own personal opinions or their faith position."

He notes the committee is working long hours because the Bill must be approved by June 6th according to an order from the Supreme Court.