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A La Libre survey demonstrates that 70% of Belgians accept the idea of euthanasia for children and people with dementia. Ten years after the legalization of euthanasia in their country, the people seem to have become comfortable with the idea. Is this what will happen in Quebec if Bill 52 is adopted?

The members of the parliamentary commission on Bill 52, particularly Véronique Hivon, MNA for Joliette and Minister of Social Services and Youth protection, assures us that the bill will not apply to children or people with dementia. But however, as writes Pierre Pelchat in an article published in Le Soleil, the Parti québécois and the Coalition Avenir Québec "are open as to whether medical aid in dying be eventually offered to people suffering from dementia". Certain groups, such as the Collège des médecins, have already asked the parliamentary commission that the bill be broadened to include minors and inapt people. It would be very naive to believe the government's guarantees that the law is only intended for a reduced number of targeted people. We must foresee that a few years after the law has been adopted, it will be broadened to include minors and inapt people.

Regarding the Belgians who accept the idea of euthanasia for children and people with dementia, very vulnerable groups, do they really understand the meaning of the questions that were put forth during the survey? A recent survey led by Ipsos on behalf of Living with Dignity clearly demonstrated that Quebecers are very confused by what the term "medical aid in dying" is supposed to mean. Maybe the Belgians are confused as well? However euthanasia has been legal in their country for the past ten years and the wording they are using there is clearer than that which is being used for Bill 52 here.

We have to conclude that the Belgians have become accustomed to the idea little by little. Ten years of euthanasia have really desensitized them to the gravity of the action. Even if the majority of Quebecers were opposed to the idea of euthanasia for minors and the inapt at the moment of the adoption of Bill 52, the question one must now ask is: how many years must pass by before we become as desensitized and open the door to euthanasia for our most vulnerable groups?