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441-01084 (Justice)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas:

  • Louis Roy of the Quebec College of Physicians recommended expanding euthanasia to "babies from birth to one year of age who come into the world with severe deformities and very serious syndromes";
  • This proposal for the legalized killing of infants is deeply disturbing to many Canadians; and
  • Infanticide is always wrong.

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call on the Government of Canada to block any attempt to allow the killing of children.

Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Parliamentary Secretary Gary Anandasangaree

Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAID) regime permits persons who meet all the eligibility criteria in section 241.2 of the Criminal Code to receive MAID. In order to be eligible, a person must be at least 18 years old, make a voluntary request for MAID and consent to receiving it, and, as such, eligibility for MAID cannot be extended to babies under the existing framework. The Government of Canada has no intention of creating exemptions to criminal offences to permit MAID for babies. The Parliamentary Special Joint Committee on MAID (AMAD) recently completed its review of the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to MAID and their application, and of other issues, including those relating to mature minors (i.e., minors who have the capacity to make medical decisions). AMAD’s final report was tabled in Parliament on February 15, 2023. The Government of Canada is reviewing the final report and will table a Government Response, as required, in the coming months.

Presented to the House of Commons
John Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest)
January 31, 2023 (Petition No. 441-01084)
Government response tabled
March 20, 2023
Photo - John Williamson
New Brunswick Southwest
Conservative Caucus
New Brunswick

25 signatures

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.