Brexit Deal ‘Down to Political Will’ From UK, Says Irish PM
The prime minister of Ireland—where the impact of a Brexit deal will be felt most keenly within the European Union—says he hopes the outline of a free-trade deal between the UK and the EU will emerge by the end of the week. The fate of the deal rests on UK political will, he said. Talks started up again on Monday, albeit online, with the EU’s chief negotiator saying that “fundamental divergences remain.” In just six weeks the UK will sever ties with the trading bloc, regardless of whether a deal has been struck or not. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he had received a sense of progress from both negotiating teams. “I would be hopeful that, by the end of this week, that we could see the outlines of a…
OTTAWA鈥擳he chief executive officer of an organization that provides health care to the Siksika First Nation in Alberta says an assisted鈭抎ying bill sends the wrong message to Indigenous youth.
Tyler White says Indigenous elders work hard to tell young people that suicide should not be an option, and the bill sends a contradictory message.
White is among numerous opponents to the current medical assistance in dying bill being debated by the House of Commons and Senate.
The bill broadens categories of who is eligible for an assisted death, but also imposes more stringent guidelines on how it can be accessed.
Dr. Thomas Fung, a physician who works with Indigenous patients, says a 90鈭抎ay waiting period before some people can receive an assisted death is too short.
He says it can take longer than that to arrange adequate services and support that could convince people not to choose death.
Focus News: Assisted Death Bill Sends Wrong Message to Indigenous People, Advocates Say
Kirkup to Step up as the Youngest Leader of WA Liberals
The 33-year-old Member of Parliament Zak Kirkup will become the youngest West Australian Liberal leader in 20 years as his rival pulled out shortly before the party room meeting. Kirkup’s opponent, former cabinet minister Dean Nalder, announced his withdrawal in a statement released on Tuesday, saying it was clear that the numbers were not on his side, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. “It has become apparent that I don’t have the majority support of my parliamentary colleagues and therefore will clear a path for the new leader,” Nalder told AAP. “I have been humbled at the level of support from my electorate and the wider community.” Kirkup’s victory means the Liberal party would welcome its youngest leader since Matt Birney’s short-lived reign in the mid-2000s. “I think anyone should judge a…
