I call the meeting to order.
Good evening, and welcome to the meeting of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying.
I'd like to begin by welcoming the members of the committee and the witnesses, as well as those watching this meeting online. My name is Yonah Martin, and I am the Senate joint chair of the committee. I'm joined by Honourable Marc Garneau, the House of Commons joint chair.
Today we are continuing our examination of the statutory review of the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to medical assistance in dying and their application.
I'd like to remind members and witnesses to keep their microphones muted unless they are recognized by name by one of the joint chairs. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly.
Interpretation in this video conference will work like an in-person committee meeting. You'll have the choice at the bottom of your screen of either floor, English, or French.
Again, I'd like to welcome our witnesses for panel one, who are here to discuss MAID when a mental disorder is the sole underlying medical condition.
By video conference, we have three panellists as individuals: Dr. Marie Nicolini; Shakir Rahim, lawyer at Kastner Lam LLP; and Dr. Michael Trew, clinical associate professor, University of Calgary. Thank you to all three of you for joining us.
We'll begin with remarks by Dr. Nicolini, followed by Mr. Rahim, and then Dr. Trew. Each of you will have five minutes, which I will be timing.
Dr. Nicolini, you have five minutes. The floor is yours.