I admit, I don’t understand parliamentary politics. But it appears that the Liberal Party (conservatives) in Quebec just might have euthanized the euthanasia bill. From the CBC story:
The Philippe Couillard-led Quebec Liberals have blocked the passage of Quebec’s end-of-life legislation, Bill 52, said parliamentary house leader Stéphane Bédard. He had strong words for Couillard, calling his lack of willingness to collaborate on the bill’s passage a total abandonment of his responsibilities.
I’m sorry? If you disagree or are still questioning a bill this radical you are supposed to cooperate in its passage?
Euthanasia ideologues can’t understand that a political leader might actually not want to open up the medicalized killing floodgates:
Minister for Social Services Véronique Hivon was the one to introduce the end-of-life bill to the national assembly. At the time, she said she was proud that Quebec was taking a stand on the issue. “I’m completely puzzled. I don’t understand at all the decision that has been taken today by Mr. Couillard and the Liberal Party of Quebec…The reactions are really really strong — nobody understands. I’m asking Mr. Couillard, ‘Why?’” Hivon said.
The tabling may kill the bill for this session:
If the bill is not passed today, it could die on the order paper because of the 4 p.m. ET tabling of the budget. Quebec Finance Minister Nicolas Marceau submitted the PQ’s second budget in 18 months. Tomorrow, MNAs go on a two-week break.
The current PQ government could fall if the opposition parties vote against the budget, triggering an election. If an election is called, the passage of the end-of-life bill would be paralyzed until an eventual revival by the next government.
Here’s hoping.