Manitoba to change laws to prepare for doctor-assisted dying

The provincial government has proposed changes to Manitoba laws to make way for doctor-assisted dying.

The Progressive Conservatives introduced amendments to two pieces of legislation Tuesdaythatwould change current rules to clarify that doctor-assisted dying is not homicide or suicide.

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Current rules are not in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling from earlier this year that allowed for medical assistance in dying, said Justice Minister Heather Stefanson Tuesday.

"The whole idea here is to further comply with the Supreme Court ruling," she said.

The amendments also include a component to allow for regulatory changes on collecting and sharing assisted dying records in anticipation of federal legislation to come.

If passed, the legislation will change Manitoba's Fatalities Inquiries Act so doctor-assisted death isn't deemed a suicide or homicide. In turn, that change will remove the current need for the Chief Medical Examiner to lead an inquest into the death, which is legally required for all suicides and homicides.

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Amendments would also be made to the Vital Statistics Act concerning how the deaths are printed on death certificates, so that the cause of death would be listed as the underlying illness rather than suicide or homicide.

To learn more about assisted dying in Manitoba visit the provincial website.