It was July, so he was close to being 18. He was already 18 years and seven months, so he had been eligible for MAID for about seven months before he decided to stop the treatment. Despite his admissibility for MAID, he never asked for it, and it was never part of your discussions.
Why are you so fearful, if we extend MAID to mature minors, that it's going to change your situation? For your son and your family, because of your beliefs and your values, it was not an option you would consider, but you were mindful that it was available. He was over 18. He could have received it if he had applied for it because obviously, once he stopped treatment, unfortunately, natural death was imminent in a matter of months or weeks. It did not prevent you from doing so, but, as my colleague said, some other families believe differently. We heard another mother who said that her son, who was 17 and a half, was going through unbearable suffering and wanted to have access to MAID.
Why would we deny access to MAID to that 17-and-a-half-year-old? It would not force you to apply for MAID, which you did not apply for and your son did not apply for. Why should we deprive others of the choice?