Quebec’s right-to-die law comes into effect on Dec. 10
The Canadian Press
Terminally ill patients in Quebec who seek medical aid in dying must be provided with the service even if some doctors are against it, Quebec’s health minister said Wednesday.
Gaétan Barrette called out unco-operative doctors and directors of institutions in the province’s health care network Wednesday after a palliative care unit in Montreal announced it wouldn’t offer the service.
Quebec’s right-to-die law comes into effect on Dec. 10 and Barrette says the patient will be the priority.
“The role of (medical) institutions is to offer the service,” he said. “And it will be offered.” . . . [Full Text]
The issue here is whether or not physicians and others and health care institutions can be compelled to kill patients, even if they believe it is gravely wrong to do so. Euthanasia can be provided in Quebec without compelling those unwilling to kill patients to be involved. The headline of the news story suggests that bias in favour of euthanasia caused the writer missed the point.