The Superior Court of Quebec has granted the federal government a two-month extension on its deadline to pass new legislation on medical assistance in dying (MAID.) Before today, the Liberal government had already requested and received two extensions by the court to enact new legislation to conform with the ruling. Conservatives and advocacy groups for Canadians with disabilities oppose C-7, arguing it fails to protect vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with physical or intellectual disabilities. Had the government been denied another extension by the court, it would have left a disconnect between the law in Quebec and elsewhere in the country. Justice Minister David Lametti warned that would create a situation where Quebecers would have expanded access to MAID without the safeguards to protect vulnerable people that are included in Bill C-7.

Source: CBC News December 17, 2020 22:01 UTC