SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Member of Parliament

Joël Lightbound

  • Member of Parliament
  • Liberal
  • Louis-Hébert
  • Quebec
  • Voting Attendance: 66%
  • Expenses Last Quarter: $113,755.58

  • Government Page
Context: House Hansard - 281 - Feb/13/24
Mr. Joël Lightbound (Louis-Hébert, Lib.)
  • Feb/13/24 9:45:45 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, I sincerely want to thank my colleague for her speech. I believe that this is an issue where the debates are particularly instructive for members. We have been dealing with these matters in the House of Commons since 2016 and my position has changed over time, including on advance requests. I think I still need to study the issue, but I understand that this can be useful in some cases. I have met people who could have used this. I have heard some very touching stories, even from people close to me, about people who could use this. However, on the subject of mental illness, my position has also crystallized. Many psychiatrists have told me that this track was not necessarily desirable, that it was far too difficult to gauge the irremediability of a mental illness. My colleague mentioned the consensus in Quebec. Yes, there is one on advance requests. However, as far as mental illness as a sole reason for opening the door to medical assistance in dying goes, the National Assembly of Quebec did vote in Bill 11, in June 2023, as my colleague mentioned. It excludes mental illness because there is in fact no consensus within the medical community. Some members of that community shared their deep concerns with me about opening up MAID for this. I would like my colleague's thoughts on that.
230 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 281 - Feb/13/24
Mr. Joël Lightbound (Louis-Hébert, Lib.)
  • Feb/13/24 9:17:39 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, it is a gripping topic. I think that very reasonable people can have different views. My colleague just talked about Quebec, which is indeed one step ahead. However, let us not forget that in June 2023, the National Assembly voted in legislation that completely excluded medical assistance in dying for persons suffering solely from a mental illness, following testimony from psychiatrists from throughout Quebec. Psychiatrists from Université Laval in my riding shared with me their reservations about moving forward on this issue. In my view, what the government is suggesting today is to slow down because we are clearly not ready. There are so many questions that still need to be answered about opening up MAID for this specific category of patient. Without being against MAID in general, I would like to know what she thinks about comparing what the government is doing and what the National Assembly of Quebec has decided.
155 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border