I want to thank all my colleagues for their comments.
That said, Mr. Maloney and Mr. Virani, the purpose of the amendment is exactly the opposite of what you're arguing. I've spoken with doctors. Some doctors came and told us that this criterion was removed. They were very happy about this because it was very vague and made no medical sense.
This amendment doesn't address access to medical assistance in dying. It seeks to maintain the category of reasonably foreseeable natural death or natural death that isn't reasonably foreseeable. It seeks to maintain this category to ensure access to safeguards.
However, in the case of people who are terminally ill, doctors make prognoses. That's all they do. This tells them something. It makes their job easier on the ground. Practitioners want a benchmark.
People want to live as long as possible. In the event of terminal cancer, they also want to live at home as long as possible, until they can no longer remain there. Some even decide to die at home. In this case, it's very easy if they request medical assistance in dying.
We're nowhere near 12 months. This means that, with a period of 12 months or less, a person doesn't need to wait another 10 days. They would have access to the safeguards for people whose death is reasonably foreseeable. The amendment proposes the elimination of the 10-day reflection period and exceptions to the requirement to provide final consent. At the very least, the doctor could justify the fact that the request was made under circumstances of 12 months or less.
This isn't about access to medical assistance in dying. You're mistaken when you interpret it in this manner. For the rest, it's obvious. If natural death isn't reasonably foreseeable, usually the prognosis will be 12 months or more, as in the case of Nicole Gladu.
The degenerative disease isn't yet covered by the bill. People want to live as long as possible. They don't want to die. If they're suicidal, they're treated. They're given antidepressants and they'll continue to live. They want to live until life becomes unbearable. They'll then seek care and say that they don't want to end up in this condition. The 12-month or longer period covers all degenerative diseases as well. For example, a person with very advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, would fall into the 12 months or less category. I think that doctors will be able to justify their prognoses and practices.
As a result of a totally vague criterion, doctors may or may not apply the safeguard without having to justify anything, by saying that death is or isn't foreseeable. It seems that we must be rigorous. This rigour has been called for, in particular by Dr. Naud, one of the Quebec practitioners with the most experience in this area. Go reread his presentation.
That's why I disagree with you, Mr. Maloney and Mr. Virani. I agree with Mr. Moore. The bill is supposed to provide more clarity, and the amendment does this.