Ontario Bill 3,An Act providing for the development of a provincial framework on palliative care passed third reading in the Ontario legislature and will become law. The purpose of the Act is to develop a framework to ensure that every Ontarian has access to quality palliative care. The Act requires the Minister of Health to develop a provincial framework designed to support improved access to palliative care. The Minister must table a report setting out the provincial framework in the Legislative Assembly within one year after the Bill comes into force. Within three years after the report is tabled, the Minister must prepare and table a report on the state palliative care in Ontario. Each report must be published on a Government of Ontario website.

Passing of the law sets a positive precedent for other provinces and shows demonstrate provincial government support for palliative care. The Bill was supported by 40 stakeholders, including Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, ALS Canada, and health professionals from across the province.