Quebec expands law for doctor-assisted death, permits early requests for procedure

Jun 7, 2023 | 3:13 PM

Quebec has adopted a new law that expands access to medical aid in dying and allows early requests for the procedure.

The law adopted today permits people with a serious and incurable disease, such as Alzheimer’s, to apply for a doctor-assisted death before their condition deteriorates and prevents them from consenting to one.

Bill 11 also grants access to the procedure to people with a severe physical impairment resulting in a significant and persistent disability.

A previous version of the bill had allowed people with “neuromotor” diseases to apply for medical aid in dying, but the government removed that language from the legislation.