The euthanasia debate has jumped onto the political agenda, with the
country’s health ministers calling for discussion on allowing physicians
to help patients end their lives. Even the federal government, which
has steadfastly refused to change the Criminal Code to allow assisted
suicide nationally, is ready to join the conversation.
The sudden eagerness to talk about what had once been a taboo topic
marks a U-turn for politicians, who have previously avoided the subject
even as the public has vigorously debated it and polls have indicated
majority support for doctor-assisted death. The burgeoning discussion
parallels the country’s steady demographic shift, as the population ages
and baby boomers enter old age.
It was sparked in part by a
proposed Quebec law that would allow physicians to help patients die
under certain circumstances – a measure that, if it stands, could open
the door to provinces taking action on euthanasia without Ottawa’s help.
The debate was also prompted by a video plea from Donald Low, a
high-ranking Ontario medical official, who called for the legalization
of euthanasia shortly before he died of cancer last month.
Read on...
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Showing posts with label Quebec. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quebec. Show all posts
Quebec Spring: Students Back on the Streets in Ongoing Struggle Against Tuition Hikes
Breakdown in talks over tuition fee increases leads to continuing fury on the streets
Montreal erupted last night as talks between students and the government over university tuition hikes broke down, leading to a continuation of the students' 10-week strike. Protesters hit the streets once again, and they were met with riot police resulting in 85 arrests.
The breakdown happened when one of the student groups, CLASSE, which represents half the students on strike, was excluded from the talks.
CLASSE spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois slammed the move, saying, "The government is using the old strategy of divide and conquer." And added, "The minister is trying to weaken the student movement."Read on...
Quebec refuses to implement Harper’s crime bill
The debate isn't over yet for the Conservative government's criminal justice legislation – at least not in Quebec.
The province announced Tuesday that it would do everything in its power to limit the clout of the legislation that passed a day earlier.
Because the provinces are responsible for applying the laws passed in Ottawa, Quebec says it will work to soften Bill C-10 where possible.
The provincial minister said he will issue a directive to various players in the justice system to avoid applying the strictest provisions of the crime bill – particularly when it comes to youth offenders.
“It is not a plan to abolish C-10,” Jean-Marc Fournier told a news conference Tuesday inside a courtroom at Montreal's youth courthouse.
Quebec minister tries again to sway Tories on crime bill
Quebec Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier is back in Ottawa Tuesday morning in a last-ditch attempt to convince the Conservatives to amend their controversial anti-crime bill.
With just two days to go before the House of Commons justice committee completes a clause-by-clause review of the bill, Mr. Fournier will meet with his federal counterpart, Rob Nicholson, to once again make his case for changes to the legislation.
The province is most concerned about the bill’s proposal to toughen penalties for young offenders, which Mr. Fournier fears would diminish the justice system’s focus on rehabilitation. He also wants Ottawa to allow the provinces to bow out of a measure to allow young offenders’ names to be published.
A spokesman said Mr. Fournier is visiting at Mr. Nicholson’s invitation so the two could discuss the amendments in person.
Quebec wants Tories to reconsider tough youth sentences
Quebec Justice Minister Jean-Marc Fournier has proposed amendments to the Harper government’s crime bill that would soften penalties for young offenders.
In a letter to his federal counterpart, Rob Nicholson, that he also sent to all provincial justice ministers, Mr. Fournier urged Ottawa to abandon the provisions for tougher sentences for young offenders proposed in Bill C-10.
If the Harper government is sincere about protecting the public, it needs to examine the long-term consequences of lengthy prison terms for youth crimes, Mr. Fournier said.
The letter is the latest salvo in Quebec’s battle against the legislation. Earlier this month, the province said it would refuse to pay for higher prison costs flowing from the bill.
Quebec balks at Ottawa’s law-and-order agenda
Quebec has opened up a second front in the fight against Ottawa’s law-and-order agenda, refusing to pay for higher prison costs flowing from a federal omnibus anti-crime bill and blasting the legislation as counter-productive.
The Quebec government is also in a dispute with Ottawa over its decision to kill the long-gun registry, suggesting it will go to court to get the information it contains on gun ownership in the province and set up its own database.
Quebec and the rest of the country have long differed on the balance between punitive justice and rehabilitation, but the latest developments could threaten the recent warming of relations between Premier Jean Charest and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Bill C-10 would impose mandatory minimum sentences for some drug offences and toughen the youth justice system, among other things.
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