M-51 Special committee on medical assistance in dying

That, as mandated in section 10 of the Act to Amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), which received royal assent on June 17, 2016:

(a) the House appoint a special committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of this act;

(b) the review conducted by the committee include, but not be limited to, issues relating to requests for medical assistance in dying by mature minors, advance requests, requests where mental illness is the sole underlying medical condition, the state of palliative care, and the adequacy of safeguards against pressure on the vulnerable to seek medical assistance in dying;

(c) the committee be composed of 12 members, of which six shall be government members, four shall be from the official opposition, one shall be from the Bloc Québécois and one from the New Democratic Party;

(d) changes in the membership of the committee shall be effective immediately after notification by the whip has been filed with the Clerk of the House;

(e) membership substitutions be permitted, if required, in the manner provided for in Standing Order 114(2);

(f) the members shall be named by their respective whip by depositing with the Clerk of the House the list of their members to serve on the committee no later than October 30, 2020;

(g) the Clerk of the House shall convene an organization meeting of the said committee for no later than November 6, 2020;

(h) the committee be chaired by a member of the government party;

(i) notwithstanding Standing Order 106(2), in addition to the Chair, there be one vice-chair from the official opposition, one vice-chair from the Bloc Québécois and one vice-chair from the New Democratic Party;

(j) the quorum of the committee be as provided for in Standing Order 118, and that the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence printed when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four members are present, including one member of the opposition and one member of the government;

(k) the committee be granted all of the powers of a standing committee, as provided in the Standing Orders, as well as the power to travel, accompanied by the necessary staff;

(l) the committee be allowed to meet virtually, if and as required, and have the power to authorize video and audio broadcasting of any or all of its proceedings; and

(m) within six months after this review is undertaken or within such further time as the House may authorize, the committee present a report on the review to the House, including a statement setting out any changes to the provisions that the committee recommends.