Thank you, Madam Co‑Chair.
I'd like to thank all the witnesses, who are really providing very fascinating testimony today.
Dr. Poirier, I can't tell you how much I've learned about Alzheimer's disease, as someone who is experiencing the same stress and pain as your colleague Dr. Chung. My father has Alzheimer's and my mother died under the same conditions as yours. She died of hunger and thirst because she could no longer swallow anything. Also, three of my great aunts and great uncles, who were siblings, died one after the other. This is of great concern to me personally.
Ms. Demontigny made a big impression on all the committee members this week. On Tuesday evening, she gave incredible testimony. She was confident and had all her wits about her, so she can make a decision as important as requesting medical assistance in dying when the time comes.
That brings me to ask you a question about the 1 to 5 or 1 to 30 scale that you mentioned to help determine when one might make such a decision. I'd like you to provide some guidance. How should we, as legislators, use that scale? For example, can one request medical assistance in dying when one is at 4 or 25?