Parliament needs to design a stand-alone law on doctor-assisted death.

That’s the advice from prominent constitutional scholar Peter Hogg – who has told a joint Commons-Senate committee that Parliament should develop a set of safeguards that would apply – even where provinces haven’t created their own legislation.

The joint committee is meeting for the first time today to study the issue.

Last February, the Supreme Court recognized the right of consenting adults – who are going through intolerable physical or mental suffering – to end their lives with the aid of a doctor. .

The top court recently gave the federal government four more months to produce a new law – but also allowed an exemption for anyone who wants to ask a judge – for permission to end their life sooner.