According to the proceedings outlined on Feb. 13 by MP Steve MacKinnon, the leader of the government in the House of Commons, the Standing Committee on Health must consider Bill C-62 no later than Feb. 14. A minister will be available for testimony in front of the group for one hour and two additional expert witnesses will be present for two hours.

The second reading debate commences immediately afterwards. A representative from each party will speak for up to 10 minutes, followed by five minutes of questions and comments. Following the second reading stage, the typical committee consideration and report stages will be fast-forwarded. 

On Feb. 15, the third reading vote will occur. 

Meanwhile, the Senate is scheduled for a 130-minute committee of the whole on Feb. 14 to deliberate about Bill C-62. The vote determining if Bill C-62 becomes law will occur by March 1. The upper house is not scheduled to sit from March 2-17.

A two-year reprieve from expanding medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to individuals exclusively living with a psychiatric condition would be a welcome development for Canadian pro-life activists. However, this community is pushing for an even greater feat: making medical killing for the solely mentally ill politically unviable.