Quebec Superior Court has granted an injunction that will postpone the implementation of a provincial law on assisted dying until at least February.
The law was expected to come into force on Dec. 10 but the court ruled today it will remain on hold for now.
The Coalition of Physicians for Social Justice sought an injunction against the controversial law, which was adopted in June 2014.
The provincial government says it will seek leave to appeal the court ruling and the health and justice ministers both reiterated their belief that the law is perfectly valid.
The legislation outlines how terminally ill patients can end their lives with medical help.
Meanwhile in Ottawa, the federal government is expected to announce this week whether it will seek a delay from the Supreme Court of Canada on the medical right-to-die issue.
The high court had given Ottawa one year to bring about new legislation after striking down last February the Criminal Code section prohibiting a doctor from helping someone to die.
