Quebec's health minister is applauding the Supreme Court of Canada's unanimous decision to strike down the ban on providing doctor-assisted death.
Gaetan Barrette says today is a good day for democracy and vindication for Quebec politicians who were routinely criticized in the rest of Canada when they began debating the issue of doctor-assisted death a few years ago.
The province is the first in Canada to adopt right-to-die legislation last year, making doctor-assisted death legal as part of its comprehensive end-of-life legislation.
The landmark Quebec legislation was passed last June with all-party support and will come into effect in December 2015.
Barrette says today's high court decision clearly resolves the issue across the country and he expects other provinces will follow in Quebec's footsteps.
Quebec has said their law is an extension of end-of-life care, making it a health-care issue which falls under provincial jurisdiction.
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