In less than a month, the Manitoba Legislature will convene for its fall session.
One of the bills that will be before the Legislature is Bill 34, the Medical Assistance in Dying (Protection for Health Professionals and Others) Act.
Health minister Kelvin Goertzen spoke to Golden West about the bill, which is designed -- as its name suggests -- to provide legislated protection for medical professions who do not want to provide assisted dying services.
"For the provinces to have legislation that specifically protects medical professionals-- all medical professionals-- from employment consequences and otherwise, we think brings the kind of protection that they've been asking for and that they're very positive about."
Bill 34, which received its first reading in the Legislature on May 16th, does not touch on referrals. Goertzen says he thinks Manitoba already has the right balance when it comes to the challenge around referrals.
"The balance that we've struck, together with the College of Physicians... is to say information has to be provided... who they can call and where they can get information from, but the doctors don't have to make a specific referral."
The act will come into effect if and when it receives royal assent.
Thu, Apr 25, 6:30 PM
Labour, Professionals, Skilled Trades, Transport, Seasonal
Featured