The governing Conservatives have used their majority in the House of Commons to defeat a Liberal motion on doctor-assisted death.

The motion called for a multi-party committee to be created to consult on the issue and report back to Parliament by mid-summer with a proposed framework for a new law.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says due process in place.

“There is a committee of the House of Commons, a justice committee that has a mandate to study this, should they so choose,” Harper explained.  “We’ll leave that decision to them, Mr. Speaker.  In the meantime, the government intends to consult widely with Canadians to review the decision and will consult very comprehensively before deciding how to respond.”

The motion was defeated 146-to-132.

The issue was brought to the forefront February 6th, when the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the ban on doctor-assisted dying.  The court set a one-year deadline for Parliament to craft a new law on doctor-assisted death.

The decision was applauded by the organization, Dying with Dignity Canada.  Moses Znaimer, founder of ZoomerMedia, is co-lead patron of DWD Canada, along with Canadian born actor Christopher Plummer.