Thank you, Madam Chair.
I think this is a well-thought-out amendment, and I thank our colleague Mr. Manly for his contribution here.
In reference to earlier statements that we all have some sympathies, I have a great deal of sympathy, I think, listening to persons with disabilities in particular who came forward and spoke to us, and doctors who have the care of vulnerable patients. There are socio-economic elements here that should not be the reasons people make these choices. Lack of support and lack of advantage should not be the reasons to implement MAID.
Also, in earlier statements, my colleagues were talking about autonomy yet highlighting the competing tensions. If we truly believe in the autonomy of people to make these decisions, they should be able to make them themselves, about the competing tensions or their competing rights. Which of their rights do they feel they want to emphasize and which do they want to exercise in the options available? There should be two options available.
The testimony we've heard on these issues is very compelling to me. When we talk about societal changes, the people who are in the front line of this—the health care professionals, the patients and future patients—are the ones dealing with this directly, not us. We're legislators and we're trying to look at it in an overall context. We all want to relieve suffering, but if we truly believe in autonomy, then that means that we as a society, as government, as legislators and as compassionate Canadians, should be in favour of an amendment like this, which makes it very clear that these decisions should be free of any kind of deprivation or social disadvantage, so I'm in favour of it.
Thank you.