moved for leave to introduce Bill C-215, an act to amend the Criminal Code (aiding suicide).
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to introduce a bill that would amend the Criminal Code to allow terminally ill people the right to die with dignity with the assistance of their doctor.
People with terminal illnesses, some suffering terrible pain or indignity, are now being assisted to die but too often it is being done by secret physicians who perform secret acts or, worse yet, by family or friends with no safeguards whatsoever in place.
The current legislation which dates back to 1892 can be extremely cruel to those who are dying and to their families.
Sue Rodriguez, a woman who lived her life and approached her death with incredible courage and dignity, urged the Minister of Justice in her final declaration to introduce legislation into Parliament soon on this subject.
I hope this bill will be one step along this road, a road that leads to a more decent and civilized society for all Canadians.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)