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Minutes of Proceedings

42nd Parliament, 1st Session
Meeting No. 18
Wednesday, May 11, 2016, 4:16 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Presiding
Anthony Housefather, Chair (Liberal)

• Bill Blair (Liberal)
• Sean Casey (Liberal)
Library of Parliament
• Lyne Casavant, Analyst
• Christine Morris, Analyst
 
House of Commons
• Olivier Champagne, Legislative Clerk
• Philippe Méla, Legislative Clerk
Department of Health
• Sharon Harper, Manager, Continuing Care Unit, Health Care Programs and Policy Directorate, Strategic Policy Branch
Department of Justice
• Joanne Klineberg, Senior Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section
• Carole Morency, Director General and Senior General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section
Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Wednesday, May 4, 2016, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying).

The Committee resumed its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

Carole Morency, Joanne Klineberg and Sharon Harper answered questions.

On Preamble,

Ted Falk moved, — That Bill C-14, in the preamble, be amended by adding before line 1 on page 1 the following:

“Whereas respect for the sanctity of life is one of our most fundamental societal principles, as expressed in section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Parliament of Canada has a responsibility to uphold this principle;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ted Falk and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 6.

Ted Falk moved, — That Bill C-14, in the preamble, be amended by replacing line 17 on page 1 with the following:

“Whereas suicide prevention is an important public policy goal supported by the Parliament of Canada, in part because suicide is a significant public health issue”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ted Falk and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 6.

Pursuant to the order adopted by the Committee on Monday, May 2, 2016, the following amendment, submitted by Elizabeth May for the consideration of the Committee, was deemed moved:

That Bill C-14, in the preamble, be amended by replacing lines 22 and 23 on page 1 with the following:

“competent adults who have a grievous and irremediable medical condition that causes them enduring and intolerable suffering strikes the most appropriate balance be-”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 0; NAYS: 8.

Ted Falk moved, — That Bill C-14, in the preamble, be amended by adding after line 2 on page 2 the following:

“Whereas it is not against the public interest to hold and publicly express diverse views about medical assistance in dying, including the view that participating in a person's death is intrinsically morally and legally wrong;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ted Falk and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 6.

Murray Rankin moved, — That Bill C-14, in the preamble, be amended by adding after line 12 on page 2 the following:

“Whereas everyone has freedom of conscience and religion under section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;

Whereas nothing in this Act affects the guarantee of freedom of conscience and religion;”

At 4:35 p.m., by unanimous consent and pursuant to Standing Order 115(5), it was agreed that the Committee continue to sit.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Murray Rankin and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

Ted Falk moved, — That Bill C-14, in the preamble, be amended by replacing lines 20 to 23 on page 2 with the following:

“dying;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ted Falk and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 6.

At 4:44 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:25 p.m., the sitting resumed.

At 5:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:45 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Murray Rankin moved, — That Bill C-14, in the preamble, be amended by adding after line 12 on page 2 the following:

“Whereas the Government of Canada recognizes that in the living conditions of Canadians, there are diverse circumstances and that different groups have unique needs, it commits to working with provinces, territories and civil society to facilitate access to palliative and end-of-life care, care and services for individuals living with Alzheimer and dementia, appropriate mental health supports and services and culturally and spiritually appropriate end-of-life care for Indigenous patients;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Murray Rankin and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

The Preamble, as amended, carried by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 0.

The Title carried on division.

The Bill , as amended, carried by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 4.

ORDERED, — That the Chair report the Bill, as amended, to the House.

ORDERED, — That Bill C-14, as amended, be reprinted for the use of the House at report stage.

At 6:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.



Michael MacPherson
Clerk of the Committee