Mr. Speaker, I have some serious questions, especially for this minister.
Just now, the minister said that doctors' conscience was protected. I was very surprised to hear that. I did not read that clause. I would like the minister to tell me exactly which clause says that doctors' conscience will be protected.
Each and every one of us understood that, going forward, the provinces would define protection for doctors, which means that there could be 10 different interpretations. That is not a good thing. This is a federal Parliament, and we must act on behalf of all Canadians.
I have a second point I would like to raise. If there is to be protection for doctors' conscience, which we want, why not follow the Quebec model, which allows a third party to transfer a patient to another doctor? In other words, if the attending physician who does not want to treat the patient informs a third party, such as hospital or CLSC officials, the third party can transfer the case to another doctor.
I have two questions: Can the minister tell me exactly which clause in the bill protects doctors' conscience? Why not follow the Quebec model?