Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, if I may be allowed to address a number of the points the member has raised, first and foremost, the member acknowledges that the reason this bill is before us is that nine Supreme Court judges unanimously indicated that we need to change the law. That is the reason

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, it is important for us to recognize that the minister made reference to 84 members who have spoken. What she did not make reference to is the other 160-plus speaking spots that were made available. What also needs to be highlighted is that the Leader of the Governm

Government Response to Petitions  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 36(8), I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the government's response to one petition. Mr. Speaker, while I am on my feet, I move: That the House do now proceed to Orders of the Day.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I think the member for Elmwood—Transcona recognizes the value of what the Supreme Court of Canada has said. The nine judges came in with a unanimous decision, indicating that we needed to come up with legislation. We look forward to it heading to the committee stage.

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, we consistently hear the opposition benches talk about a commitment toward palliative care. In fact, there is a commitment, which is in the budget document. The Minister of Health clearly indicated that we would be going into a new health care accord. In order to

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, to reflect back, when the Supreme Court decision was made, I believe both opposition parties, the Liberals and New Democrats, called on the government to take action. In fact, a motion was put to the House to try to convince the government of the day to act. I wo

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, the member made reference, in answering a question, to seeing her primary job as protecting the most vulnerable. Does the member not recognize that if the legislation were not to pass, the most vulnerable she wants to protect are going to be that much more vulnera

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, maybe this is a good time to reflect on the many members who have stood in their place to address this bill, many of them referring to personal stories which have provided a great deal of insight into what we are debating here. It is very much appreciated. The mem

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I rise today to add some thoughts in regard to the private member's bill. In essence, and I put it in the form of a question earlier, the member for Mississauga—Streetsville has put together a bill on what I believe is a very important consti

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague for a job well done in terms of presenting a private member's bill that appears to have some fairly wide support both inside and outside of the chamber. I understand the member is open to some potential amendments. I would ask t

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, the member ended her comments about palliative care and asked the government to make a commitment toward it. It is important for us to reinforce at times that there is a very substantial commitment that has been made in terms of the future of palliative care. Contr

Criminal Code  Madam Speaker, I would like to put a different twist on this. We have heard a great deal about another component: the issue of palliative care. There is merit to getting further insight and comments on the record with regard to that. I know the member's background and, in partic

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the member could confirm the realization that the Supreme Court of Canada decision, which was unanimous, said that we have to have the legislation in place by June 6. Members are going to be able to continue to debate this. There are still discussio

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, we need to emphasize the fact that the Supreme Court decision was made unanimously by all the sitting Supreme Court judges, which says a lot. Therefore, when the member makes reference to using the notwithstanding clause, I would caution him. So that people understa

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight the fact that the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously decided that Canadians suffering intolerably had the right to request assistance to end their suffering. We respect that decision of the Supreme Court of Canada, as we think all members of the