Thank you, Chair.
Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your testimony today and for sharing your expertise on the matter. It's very much appreciated.
I have some initial questions for you, Mr. Bach, with respect to some of the safeguards you propose in your brief. The administration of dying by physicians and medical professionals is a very sensitive topic. We need to be sure that where there is consent, as per the Supreme Court decision, people be allowed to go through this process. At the same time, there's that balance we have to strike for vulnerable persons. I think that's what you're trying to address in your safeguards as you list them here.
You list your safeguards in section C. You also recommend prior review by a superior court. I'm just wondering if you've thought about how long the whole process would take. For example, if a person wanted to begin the process of ending their life, they would go to a doctor and tell them, “This is what I want to do”.
As per your safeguards, could you please walk me through the timeline with regard to how long the palliative care consultation would take, along with the other requirements of the safeguards that are already in the proposed bill?