A bill to allow doctors to help end the life of some terminally ill patients has passed a first obstacle in the Quebec legislature.  The proposal is being sent to committee for study after being approved by a vote of 84-26.

Euthanasia is illegal under federal law, but the Quebec government has argued this is a matter of health care and therefore falls under provincial control.

Under the proposed Quebec legislation, a commission on end-of-life care would be set up to advise the government and patients and several conditions would have to be met before a life is medically ended.

ZoomerMedia Founder Moses Znaimer is co-lead patron, along with actor Christopher Plummer, of Dying with Dignity Canada.