Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for this amendment.
I think this is a sound amendment. It speaks to some of the testimony we heard. I know I keep referencing back to the testimony, because that's important in how we do our job as members of Parliament and members of this committee. We had very limited testimony, but in the testimony we heard for four days, and then in the written submissions that have come in, we heard over and over that lack of support...someone cannot make a true decision. These decisions aren't made in a vacuum, so their choice is not a true choice if, as referenced in our amendment, the palliative care options aren't there.
This amendment says, “enduring physical or psychological suffering that...is not the result of deprivation, social disadvantage, lack of support or perceived discrimination.” I think this is an amendment that is well thought out. I'm glad it was brought forward. Based on the witness testimony that we've heard, particularly around vulnerable Canadians, Canadians who don't have some of the opportunities that we may have, I think this is one worth supporting.
Thank you.