Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I think what this clause is doing is ensuring that we put the well-being of patients front and centre. That's really what is central to this clause.
That sort of goes to the essence of the principle of appropriate use. I don't think that this clause challenges the concept of physician autonomy in any way. It says that at the centre of everything we do, we need to make sure that patient well-being is front and centre. That primacy of patients, by using language like “health and well-being of Canadians”, is really at the core of this provision.
Of course, we heard from Dr. Ellis, and I'd love to hear from colleagues from the Liberal side as well who are medical practitioners and have more experience than I do in this particular area.
This is what my understanding is. It looks at ensuring that in the Canadian health care system, the most important feature is the well-being of a patient and having a system that is patient-focused and patient-centric. This is what this clause is trying to do. In no way is it trying to take away from the autonomy of a physician. It makes sure that Canadians' well-being remains central. That's why this provision is drafted in this way.
I suggest that we vote against the amendment, because it dilutes the patient-centric aspect of it, which I think is critical.