Thank you very much, Madam Co-Chair.
I appreciate the testimony from all of our witnesses today.
When this motion was passed in the House of Commons, this committee was tasked with exploring five different themes. Yes, it's within the context of medical assistance in dying, but I also think that our committee has a bit of leeway and freedom to consider many things that are also related to MAID.
I know that when we talked about the protection of persons with disabilities, we looked at this theme earlier in the year, so we already have some great testimony on record, but I think it's important in this committee's study of this particular theme to understand that it is taking place in the context of the federal government's disability inclusion plan. Also, of course, there's another House committee that's now examining Bill C-22, the Canada disability benefit act.
Maybe, Ms. Carr, I'll change tack a bit. Do you have anything you can add to...? Has your group been consulted on or involved in those other areas, in the disability inclusion plan and the Canada disability benefit act?
I know that when it comes to economic security, that's just one small part of it, but I've spoken with a lot of constituents of mine out in Cowichan—Malahat—Langford who've been real advocates on trying to get a federal disability benefit of about $2,200 a month. They think that.... Well, I think it's a fact that when you look at the disability rates in each province, you see that there's a state of “legislated poverty”, as they put it.
Do you have any thoughts on the Canada disability benefit act and the disability inclusion plan that you would like to see our committee concentrate on when it issues its final report and recommendations?