Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
The amendment is with regard to people who are seeking MAID when:
(c) they experience enduring physical or psychological suffering that
(i) is caused by that illness, disease or disability or that state of decline,
(ii) is intolerable to them and cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable, and
(iii) is not the result of deprivation, social disadvantage, lack of support or perceived discrimination.
In my discussions on MAID with the local disability community, there were concerns raised. I was sent this amendment by the executive director of the Nanaimo Association for Community Living, Graham Morry. This was also an amendment that came through Inclusion BC.
In my community, in my office, every day I see people who are homeless. There is a large homeless camp behind my office, and when I go by I see people in wheelchairs and walkers, and I know there are disabled people in that camp. The health issues they face continue to degrade their health because of their deprivation, because they are homeless. People in my community wanted to ensure there was more of a safety net in place for people with disabilities.
I believe this bill does protect people with disabilities, but the language needs to be clearer, so that people feel satisfied they're protected.