Residents of Cloverdale are invited to a town hall meeting with their Member of Parliament Thursday on proposed federal legislation on physician-assisted dying.
The public meeting is hosted by Cloverdale-Langley City MP John Aldag, a member of the Special Joint Committee on Physician Assisted Dying.
On April 14, the Liberals introduced a bill that would legalize medical assistance in dying.
Aldag will provide an update on the legislation and invite comments from constituents.
The government has until June 6 to move the bill through the legislative process in order to meet the court imposed deadline.
"The bill is cautious in its approach to this sensitive topic, which reflects the position that many Canadians have taken on this issue," Aldag said.
The session runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at Martha Currie Elementary School, 5811 184 Street.
"I encourage the constituents to reach out to me if they have any questions or concerns," he said.
To reach Aldag, call 604-595-6595 or email john.aldag@parls.gc.ca.
The proposed legislation was developed following the Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous decision to strike down criminal laws against physician-assisted dying. It was drawn up in consultation with individuals, groups, and experts.
The committee's recommendations were based in part on written and oral submissions from witnesses.
"Recognizing the inherent dignity and equality of all Canadians, we are proposing the choice of a peaceful death for patients with a serious medical condition who are irreversibly declining and suffering intolerably, Justice Minister and Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould said in announcing the proposed legislation.
Wilson-Raybould said after the Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous decision, "it was no longer a question of whether we would have medical assistance in dying in Canada, but how it would be made available."