Evidence of meeting #26 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 decision.
A video is available from Parliament.
8:15 p.m.
The Joint Chair Hon. Yonah Martin
Thank you very much.
I want to add my voice to others' voices to say that the courage you have shown in sharing your personal story is really admirable, Ms. Marcoux.
My question is for Dr. McCormick. Charles was an exceptional teenager, and there are other exceptional mature minors, but as you stated, most youth are not aware of the various treatment options they have; nor do they have an accurate understanding of them. Particularly with indigenous youth, what suggestions do you have for overcoming the barriers they face in obtaining the help they need?
8:15 p.m.
Professor, As an Individual
I should also clarify that I'm not opposed to MAID in track one, in particular for adults. The death of my sister-in-law actually was inevitable and the cancer had spread to her throat, so she was at risk of choking to death when she received MAID.
I am opposed to it for mental illness and for minors, particularly for mental illness.
What we could be doing, first of all, is talking to youth. In talking to indigenous youth without consulting with us properly, there will be legal cases I'm sure, because that is a right under UNDRIP.
But let's spend some money on mental health. This is the poor cousin of the health field. We don't spend money on it. Provide accessible diagnosis and treatment centres and mental health navigators; get rid of the jurisdictional game; fund Jordan's principle properly, provide life skills training to youth on how to problem solve and how to express emotions; provide services that others get, like palliative care, provide training and support to frontline workers, develop peer support programs for youth.
I could go on and on. There is so much that needs to be done, and we don't do it. Everything is at the “postvention” stage, not at the prevention stage. It's a crisis-oriented health care system for indigenous people.
8:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Joint Chair Liberal Marc Garneau
Thank you very much to our three panellists this evening. It is important for us to recognize that providing your testimony this evening involves making very personal statements about what you believe and that takes courage as well. It is important for us, as members of this committee, with very difficult work ahead of us to hear from all of you.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to answer our questions and providing your very personal testimony. We are very grateful.
Have a great evening.
With that, the meeting is adjourned.