My concern there is that there is nothing built into the code as it's drafted, that is, Bill C-14. There's no oversight for somebody else signing for another individual. Both James and Pieter are unable to sign for themselves. Under this provision as it's written somebody else can sign on their behalf. James and Pieter would both testify that they have very supportive families so it wouldn't be an issue for them. Perhaps there is a family where they see a family member such as James or Pieter as a burden. They could sign on their behalf possibly without Pieter or James being fully aware or possibly under coercion and there are no checks or balances. There's no clear oversight to test whether that signed statement is then voluntarily being given by someone like James or Pieter.
If you're going to get consent through written means then there are other ways you can get that from someone like Pieter or James. I would recommend that this committee consult experts in this field. You could find different ways so the consent comes directly from the patient involved, not some other proxy.