Montreal

Quebec should harmonize assisted-dying rules with Ottawa, College of Physicians says

Quebec's College of Physicians is calling on the Quebec government to harmonize the province's assisted-dying legislation with the federal law that was passed last week.

Group asks doctors to 'exercise their judgement' when dealing with assisted-dying requests

A close-up of two people holding hands - one person being a patient in a hospital bed.
Quebec's assisted-dying legislation has been in place since December 2015. (Chris Kreussling)

Quebec's College of Physicians is calling on the Quebec government to harmonize the province's assisted-dying legislation with the federal law that was passed last week.

In the meantime, the group is asking for Quebec doctors in the province to "exercise their judgment" when dealing with a demand for assisted death.

The group also cautioned doctors that they need to be able to justify, "both legally and professionally," the decisions they make.

The Quebec law has been in place since December 2015.

The federal legislation received royal assent Friday afternoon after passing a final vote in the Senate earlier in the day.

The bill was voted through after a final bid by senators failed to expand the scope of who qualifies for a doctor-assisted death.