Doctor-assisted death in Quebec could face delay: Health Minister Gatan Barrette

The introduction of medicallyassisted death in Quebec could be delayed, Health Minister Gatan Barrette said Thursday.

Quebec's new law allowing doctor-assisted death is setto take effect Dec. 10.

Barrette said a Quebec courtheard arguments Wednesday in aninjunction request filed by a provincial physicians' group.

If the injunction isgranted, Quebec will have to abide bythat decision, Barrette said.

Barrette incorrectlyidentified the group as the MQRP, a group representing 500physicians and medical residents committed to public health care.

His spokeswoman corrected that Thursday afternoon, sayingQuebec Superior Court heard arguments for an injunctionrequest on Tuesday fromPaulSabaof the Coalition of Physicians for Social Justice and LisaD'Amico, a disabledwoman opposed to the medically assisted suicide.

Saba told CBC News that the Superior Courtis now considering their request, but could not provide a time-frame for an expected decision.

Federal law being rewritten

Barrette was taking reporters questions on news that federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybouldhadplaced a courtesy call to her Quebec counterpart, asking the province to delay the implementation of medicallyassisted death while Ottawa rewritesfederal legislation.

Last February, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled that a federal law that makes it illegal for anyone to help people end their own lives should be amended to allow doctors to assist people to diein specific situations.

At the time, the Supreme Court gavefederal and provincial governments 12 months to craft legislation to respond to the ruling.

"All that's been asked of us is to hold off while the federal government reflects on the matter. That could maybe take six months. But that's all they've asked of us," Barrette said.

"I believe Quebec is within the boundaries of federal criminal law, and there are no problems with our law," he said.

As things stand, Quebec is ready for the Dec. 10 introduction of medically-assisted death, Barrette said.

"Things are in place, teams are there, support groups are there, our development plan for the next five years has been tabled, we're ready to go - and I don'tsee any reason why we shouldn't."