Insurance companies demanding the results of genetic tests? Ottawa is tabling a bill to prevent this
Discrimination based on genetic characteristics? Through the Council of the Federation, Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has asked the provinces and territories to submit their opinion on Bill S-201.
This bill aims to prohibit insurance companies, among others, from demanding that their clients provide them with the results of genetic tests. It would preclude corporations from requiring that a client submit to genetic testing or share any results prior to being provided a product or service, entering into a new contract or renewing an existing one, or being offered particular contract conditions. Certain exceptions may be considered.
Currently, three provinces, including Québec, have stated their disagreement while others have expressed reservations.