Marilyn Gladu, MP for Sarnia-Lambton spoke on May 31, 2016 at a press conference for her private member’s bill,
Marilyn Gladu
Bill C-277, “an act providing for the development of a framework on palliative care in Canada.” This timely bill comes in response to the lack of palliative care available in Canada and the lack of any palliative care provisions in government’s C-14 euthanasia legislation which is moving quickly through Parliament. This Private Member’s bill emphasizes the Liberal government's commitment to the “importance of extending access to palliative care to all Canadians in the context of physician-assisted death.” With that in mind, Bill C-277, instructs the ministry of health to work with palliative care professionals and provincial leaders in health to apply national palliative care standards.
At the press conference Miss Gladu emphasized how there are only 200 hospices across Canada. Such a low number signifies the need for universal palliative care options. The framework provided in this bill would provide a definition for palliative care, identify the training needed for palliative care professionals, ensure consistent access to palliative care in Canada and consider amending the Canada Health Act to include palliative care as a guaranteed healthcare option. Additionally, the act would outline periodical report releases from the Minister of Health, highlighting any concerns or recommendations for the framework of palliative care. These several initiatives are very similar to ARPA’s emphasis on the need of providing palliative care as a third option for those who are suffering from irremediable terminal illnesses.
