Medical Assistance in Dying Committee on Sept. 27th, 2022

Evidence of meeting #17 for Medical Assistance in Dying in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was disorder.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Statutory Review of the Provisions of the Criminal Code Relating to Medical Assistance in Dying and their Application

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Jennifer Chandler Professor, As an Individual

Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin (Senator, British Columbia, C)

Marie-Françoise Mégie Senator, Quebec (Rougemont), ISG

Stanley Kutcher Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG

Pierre Dalphond Senator, Quebec (De Lorimier), PSG

Donna Stewart Professor, University of Toronto, Senior Scientist, Toronto General Research Institute, Centre for Mental Health, As an Individual

Doris Provencher General Director, Association des groupes d'intervention en défense de droits en santé mentale du Québec

8:25 p.m.

General Director, Association des groupes d'intervention en défense de droits en santé mentale du Québec

Doris Provencher

Parameters are of course needed, just as they are needed in cases of MAID for a physical health problem. Some people have said that two psychiatrists would be needed, others said three psychiatrists.

If I may, I would like to go back to the topic of suicide. The professionals should also really listen to the people, should do more and overcome the prejudices we all have.

As the Quebec association of psychiatrists said, it depends on the person's background, their history of suffering. Everything is related.

It will not be determined by a diagnosis, but rather by the person's history, what they are experiencing. For this law not to be discriminatory, the professionals will have to take all of that into consideration in their assessment, decision and analysis of the request, but above all they must listen to the people, listen to what they have to say about it all. That is my greatest wish.

8:25 p.m.

Liberal

The Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau

Thank you very much.

That concludes our meeting this evening.

I would like to thank the witnesses, Ms. Provencher and Dr. Stewart.

Thank you very much for agreeing to answer our questions and for your opening statements. You're very important witnesses in this very important analysis that we as committee members are trying to do. We very much appreciate your candour and your very straight shooting with respect to all of the questions that were asked this evening. Thank you very much.

With that, this committee is adjourned.