SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 283

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 15, 2024 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 283 - Feb/15/24
Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, Lib.)
  • Feb/15/24 1:59:20 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, we know that medical assistance in dying is a deeply personal issue that is very difficult. I wonder if my hon. colleague could talk about the fact that we need to base this on principles of personal autonomy, dignity and choice.
43 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 283 - Feb/15/24
Mr. Francis Scarpaleggia
  • Feb/15/24 1:59:41 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, that is a very difficult question. We all believe in personal autonomy and choice. However, as I said in my speech two days ago, sometimes I think that is becoming a bit of an ideology, where we do not recognize that, yes, we are individuals with free will and free choice, but we are born into families and communities. We are influenced not only by the opportunities that families and communities afford us, but also by the constraints they impose upon us. In some cases, society imposes more hardship on some than others. We do not seem to be able to separate out whether somebody is asking for medical assistance in dying because of the hardships that society has imposed on them, or whether it is really a clear-eyed decision. I am not a psychiatrist. I am not a doctor. I do not approach this with—
150 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 283 - Feb/15/24
Mr. Marcus Powlowski
  • Feb/15/24 4:16:58 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I would approve of that. However, as a medical practitioner, I would not volunteer to become a MAID practitioner. If this position is going to be created, the only people who are going to take on the job are people who believe in MAID, believe that it is all about personal autonomy and believe that it is not for others to question a person's suffering. Whatever they are going to be taught, a lot of them are going to be the kind of people who do have a cavalier attitude toward taking life. Those of us who disagree with it are not going to accept the position to begin with.
113 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border