Great news. This bill will bar insurance companies and employers from forcing someone to disclose the results of genetic testing.
Quote:
Bill S-201 would add genetic characteristics as a protected ground under the Canadian Human Rights Act, introduce penalties for discrimination, and forbid employers from subjecting job applicants to a genetic test.
The bill would also allow people to refuse to disclose the results of a genetic test to anybody. Medical experts have said the legislation is necessary to counter the fears associated with potentially lifesaving genetic testing, which could produce results that would help doctors better tailor health treatments.
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Trudeau was arguing as the bill is, it is unconstitutional. Could this be struck down soonish?
I think each province is going to have to determine the fines and penalties associated with it. And will probably not have to follow it as insurance is provincial jurisdiction. Workplace discrimination due to genetics is federal though I believe.
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Ya, I don't know enough of the details on this one. There is no point spending a lot of time on a bill if it is going to get struck down by the courts and it could be tough to make it constitutional. Just guesses though, could be the insurance lobby thing too.
Ya, I don't know enough of the details on this one. There is no point spending a lot of time on a bill if it is going to get struck down by the courts and it could be tough to make it constitutional. Just guesses though, could be the insurance lobby thing too.
"Jim Cowan said in an interview with CBC News Tuesday that the Trudeau cabinet's opposition to the bill is "curious" given the party's vocal embrace of such legislation during the last election campaign and raised the possibility that aggressive lobbying efforts by the insurance industry soured support."
"Public lobbying records show there have been a number of meetings between the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association and Manulife Financial and senior members of Wilson-Raybould's office over the last year where Bill S-201 was the subject of conversation. Liberal P.E.I. MP Sean Casey, who was, until recently, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of justice, was also lobbied by the insurance association six times in the last year."
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It is extremely important legislation like this exists. Let's say your 23andMe report states you have a higher risk of prostate cancer. That could lead to higher premiums and even a loss or coverage. Eventhough this is just dealing in probabilities.
Parliament passes bill on insurance and genetic testing
