‘Conscience Bill’ Seeks to Protect Health Professionals as Assisted Dying Bill Passes

(L–R) Disability Inclusion Minister Carla Qualtrough, Justice Minister David Lametti, and Health Minister Patty Hajdu announce new legislation that would expand access to medically assisted dying, in Ottawa on Feb. 24, 2020. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

A recently tabled private member’s bill would give health-care providers the right to refuse participation in medically assisted death, while government legislation approved by the Senate on March 17 expands access to the procedure.

Introduced by Conservative MP Kelly Block on Feb. 18, Bill C-268 would make it a criminal offence to pressure health-care professionals including pharmacists to take part directly or indirectly in medical assistance in dying (MAiD).