That amendment passed.
"The government has effectively rewritten the bill to something far more expansive than it was a year ago," said Cooper.
Cooper was critical of the speed in which the legislation moved with the new amendments.
"This is a case where the government has proceeded with this radical expansion [of MAiD] absent a meaningful parliamentary study, absent a consensus amongst professionals, amongst experts and, in the face of leading mental health professionals who say that persons suffering from mental illness will prematurely end their lives," he said.
"It's the height of recklessness on the part of the government," said Cooper.
Once the bill has received Royal Assent, it will become law. Cooper said this is likely to happen before the end of the month, as a stay issued by the Quebec court will expire March 26.
Disability activists in Canada have been among the most vocally opposed to the passage of Bill C-7 and the expansion of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Over 120 disability groups have spoken out against the bill, saying that the bill amounts to coercion for people with disabilities to end their lives.
Disability Filibuster, an organization of Canadians with disabilities and their allies who are opposed to Bill C-7, noted that the day the bill was passed--March 11, 2021--was also the tenth anniversary of Canada ratifying the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
"Bill C-7 expands Medical Assistance in Dying beyond those who are actually dying, but only for persons with a disabling medical condition," said Disability Filibuster's website.
"The Bill, and its ableist subtext have already been harmful and traumatizing for a great many disabled people in Canada."
Christine Rousselle is a former DC Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. Prior to working at CNA, she was the managing web editor of Townhall.com; she has a BA in political science from Providence College.