OTTAWA—The Trudeau government’s controversial assisted dying bill made its official debut in the Senate on Wednesday and the initial reviews were devastating. Health Minister Jane Philpott on Wednesday testified before the Senate about the Liberal government's controversial bill on assisted dying. Conservative, independent Liberal and independent senators alike panned the legislation as they grilled first Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and then Health Minister Jane Philpott for four hours in the upper house. Several demanded explicit protection of “conscience rights” for medical practitioners who refuse to take part in providing an assisted death. Allowing assisted death for those who are suffering but not near the end of life could have an impact on public suicide prevention campaigns, she added.

Source: thestar June 02, 2016 03:11 UTC