UTGB Vol 5.pdf - Robson Hall Faculty of Law

218 Underneath the Golden Boy
new trend of cooperation at the Manitoba Legislature or simply a combination
of other factors including coincidence. Only time will telL
VII. CONCLUSION
The passage of Bill 207 was an exceptional occurrence-it was one of only four
private members' bills passed out of 141 PMBs introduced over the past 15
legislative sessions. Although only a small amendment, the bill has significant
consequences in terms of providing physicians with a rreasure of protection
from professional discipline in the event that they prescribe alternative
treatments outside the scope of conventional therapies, so long as those
treatments do not pose a greater risk to a patient's health or safety than
conventional therapies. The bill effectively addresses some of the concerns of
physicians and members of the public that doctors could be reprimanded by the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba for using therapies not
"conventionally" administered. Bill 207 is also significant for achieving passage
through the Legislature as a PMBt and for potentially signalling a new trend in
the Legislature whereby government politicians are giving renewed attention
and consideration to policy and legislative proposals brought forward by
opposition politicians.