By Canadian Press

Senate poised for final vote on amended assisted-dying bill after days of debate

Feb 17, 2021 | 4:14 PM

OTTAWA — Senators are wrapping up final debate on a bill to expand access to medical assistance in dying.

They will vote on the bill, as amended by senators, later today.

Senators have already approved five amendments to the bill, two of which would expand access even further than proposed by the government.

One would impose an 18-month time limit on the bill’s proposed ban on assisted dying for people suffering solely from mental illnesses.

Another would allow people who fear being diagnosed with dementia or other competence-eroding conditions to make advance requests for an assisted death.

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If the revised version of the bill is approved by the Senate, it will have to be sent back to the House of Commons to determine whether to accept or reject some or all of the amendments.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2021.

The Canadian Press