NDP palliative-care motion gets through Commons, now up to Tories to respond

OTTAWA – The House of Commons has passed an Opposition motion that calls on the federal government to come up with a national strategy on palliative care.

The non-binding motion put forward by New Democrat MP Charlie Angus passed in a near-unanimous vote, with only a single Bloc Quebecois MP turning it down.

It calls on the Harper Conservatives to work with the provinces and territories to ensure access to “high quality home-based and hospice palliative care.”

Angus says it’s not a case of spending a lot more money — governments are already providing the services.

But he says the palliative care system in Canada is a patchwork of programs that can be improved under a national strategy.

The motion calls on Ottawa to develop a strategy that takes into account “the geographic, regional, and cultural diversity of urban and rural Canada,” and respects different cultures and family needs.

It also calls on governments to provide more support for caregivers.

Angus says a national strategy will help families deal with end-of-life issues and assist people to live out their final years with dignity.