Madam Chair, committee members, as chair of Quebec's commission on end-of-life care, I would like to thank you for this invitation. Joining me are two of the commission's members, Pierre Deschamps and Dr. David Lussier, as well as the general secretary, Stéphanie Goulet.
Since December 10, 2015, the commission has reviewed the declarations in nearly 6,000 medical assistance in dying, or MAID, cases, drawing a number of lessons. The commission will comment on the data as they relate to five features of Bill C-7, but will not speak to MAID in relation to mental illness or individuals who do not have the capacity to consent, given the commission's lack of relevant data.
We will speak to five points.
First, the commission supports the removal of the requirement for a reasonably foreseeable natural death. If passed, Bill C-7 will make MAID available to many people who are suffering with serious and incurable illnesses, diseases or disabilities and who would have to continue suffering for years, if not decades. The commission does not believe the requirement's removal will lead to a significant spike in the number of MAID requests or the emergence of a death on demand culture.
Second, the commission approves of the elimination of the 10-day waiting period before MAID can be administered. The data and accounts collected by the commission show that the 10 days between the request and follow-through is a time of great suffering for the individuals concerned and their loved ones. In Quebec, more than half of people—53%—receive MAID less than 10 days after requesting it, not only because they fear becoming incapable of providing consent, but—