Preliminary findings by the Canadian Medical Association were released Tuesday on discussions around end of life care in Canada.
The report speaks about advance-care planning, palliative care and physician-assisted dying.
But some, including University of Manitoba Ethics Professor Arthur Schafer say, the discussion around doctor assisted suicides should move beyond talking into action
"Canadians have been very strongly supportive of the right of a competent adult patient who's dying and suffering to have his or her death hastened by a physician," said the professor.
Schafer said other studies have shown, up to three quarters of Canadians support the idea of a person's right to die on their own terms.
Currently, it is against the law in Canada for doctors to help patients end their lives.
There is a case in British Columbia heading to the Supreme Court and last week Quebec became the first province to pass right-to-die legislation.
The federal government is expected to challenge that, saying it's not interested in opening up the debate.
Dr. Mike Harlos with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says, before society can talk about doctor assisted suicides, it need to talk more about palliative care.
"We as a society aren't very good in talking about end of life, death and dying. So that very complicated and layered issue is discussed without a good background or foundation, " said Dr. Harlos.
He says in his 20 years, he's only had 3 or 4 discussions with patients and families about doctor assisted dying, while talks and need for palliative care come up every day.
The CMA report says only 30 percent of Canadians who will die this year will have access to palliative care. Dr. Harlos says that needs to change.
- with a report from Sheila North Wilson
