In the House of Commons on Wednesday, MPs voted down a Conservative member’s bill that would have protected the conscience rights of health-care workers unwilling to participate “directly or indirectly” in medical assistance in dying, or MAiD.
Bill C-230, introduced in February by Saskatchewan Conservative MP Kelly Block, aimed to amend the Criminal Code to “make it an offence to intimidate a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or other health care professional for the purpose of compelling them to take part, directly or indirectly, in the provision of medical assistance in dying.”
The bill was defeated 208–115 on Oct. 5, with the majority of Conservatives, including leader Pierre Poilievre, voting in favour and the Liberals and most NDP and Bloc Québécois MPs voting against….