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Upcoming right-to-die legislation prompts MPs to consider their voting rights

MPs will grapple today with an issue sure to be a hallmark of the next Parliament: what happens when legislation goes against their fundamental beliefs?

OTTAWA — MPs will grapple today with an issue sure to be a hallmark of the next Parliament: what happens when legislation goes against their fundamental beliefs?

A motion that would allow members of Parliament to vote freely on matters of conscience is set to be debated in the House of Commons.

Saskatchewan MP Ed Komarnicki, who is bringing forward the motion, says now is the time for his fellow parliamentarians to consider the issue.

In a landmark decision in February, the Supreme Court struck down the criminal ban on assisted suicide, giving the federal government a year to draft new laws.

Justice Minister Peter MacKay has started informal consultations on what the legislation ought to look like, but has signalled there will be no movement until after this fall’s election.

Should Komarnicki’s motion pass, it wouldn’t be binding on the government.