Evidence of meeting #24 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 children.
A video is available from Parliament.
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you, Senator Dalphond.
We'll now go to Senator Martin for three minutes.
8:20 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
Thank you.
My question is for Professor Widger.
As you are aware, the CCA working group concluded that there are many gaps in knowledge that make it “difficult to arrive at definitive answers”, and only three countries, as you mentioned, allow MAID for minors. There are so few cases that there's very limited data.
Given this lack of data, do you think it's prudent to move ahead with MAID for mature minors in Canada, or would Canadians be better served if this committee recommended that government undertake further expert research on the issue?
8:20 p.m.
Prof. Kimberley Widger
That's a very big question.
I think the youth voice is still missing from the work that's been done to date. I know that Dr. Franco Carnevale testified before this committee in June, I believe, and that's some work that he is doing. I think it really is important work.
It's important to not just rush into things, as you say. A more stepped approach may be better and serve us better in the long run. On the other hand, if I were 17 years and 250 days old, forcing me to wait just seems crazy if I'm capable of being able to make a decision, so I don't have a good answer to that question.
8:25 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
It was a big question, so thank you for responding as you did.
Beyond specialized pediatric palliative care, which I think is so important, are there other services and supports that are needed for certain groups such as indigenous, racialized or disabled youth?
8:25 p.m.
Prof. Kimberley Widger
Yes, and I think those are the groups who we really still have not heard from, the indigenous population in particular in terms of how this fits with their views and ways of being in the world. We have not looked at that really at all.
Yes, it's absolutely a critical component, and I think, yes, mature minors with disabilities are a different population from those with a terminal illness. They're the track one group whose death is foreseeable in the very near future. For most of those with disabilities, it would not be something that's in the near future, so maybe that's a different track.
Yes, more research is needed in those areas for sure.
8:25 p.m.
Liberal
8:25 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
I'd like to say thank you to all of the witnesses. It's a difficult topic, and your expertise, your recommendations and your guidance are very important to us.
Thank you very much on behalf of our committee.
With that, colleagues, we conclude. Thank you.