Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor Table in Parliament the Independent Reviews Related to Medical Assistance in Dying

December 12, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Department of Justice Canada

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, issued the following statement:

“Today in Parliament, on behalf of our Government, Minister Wilson-Raybould tabled the final reports of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) independent reviews on three specific types of requests for medical assistance in dying that are outside the scope of the law:

• requests by mature minors;
• advance requests; and
• requests where mental disorder is the sole underlying medical condition.

“We would like to commend the CCA and its panel of experts for their hard work in preparing comprehensive and thoughtful reports that examine these very difficult topics with rigour and the utmost care and sensitivity.

“The CCA is an independent, not-for-profit organization that undertakes evidence-based, expert assessments to inform public policy development in Canada. A multidisciplinary panel of 43 experts reviewed an extensive body of evidence, including Canadian and international academic and policy research; written submissions from organizations affected by, or involved in, assisted dying.

“The results of these three independent reviews will help to inform dialogue on the issue of medical assistance in dying among Canadians and decision-makers. Given the complexity and sensitivity of these topics, it will be important to take the time necessary to consider the evidence presented in the CCA’s reports.

“We understand that medical assistance in dying is a very personal and very difficult issue for Canadians -- one that includes many different viewpoints, all of which need to be heard and respected. It is also an issue that raises questions about our fundamental values, with serious implications for individuals, families, health care practitioners, and society as a whole.  The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting access to medical assistance in dying for eligible Canadians who choose to pursue this service. We will also continue to work closely with provincial and territorial governments and stakeholders at all levels to help support improvements to the quality and availability of end-of-life care for all Canadians.”