Thank you, Madam Chair.
My questions are for both of our witnesses, whom I thank for being here.
I'd like to start by saying that all of us on this joint committee are honoured to be here, but we have a very heavy weight on our shoulders. We have to discuss the issue of mature minors.
Professor Macintosh, you tell us that no matter what happens, it could become unconstitutional to deny mature minors medical assistance in dying.
I'd like us to look back at A.C. v. Manitoba, a decision rendered in 2009. It involved a young female minor who refused medical treatment. According to the Supreme Court of Canada, she had the right to refuse medical treatment against her will. In Carter v. Canada, it's quite the opposite: they're asking for medical assistance in dying. They want MAID and they want the Criminal Code amended to allow it to happen.
On the one hand, in A.C. v. Manitoba, the court rules that a person has the right to refuse medical treatment. That's self-evident and understandable. On the other hand, in the Carter case, they want medical assistance in dying.
How do you think the courts could make refusing medical assistance in dying for mature minors unconstitutional?