Evidence of meeting #40 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 camh.
A video is available from Parliament.
8:05 p.m.
Psychologist, Canadian Psychological Association
I think that's a critical concern. Obviously, doing a thorough assessment is not a short process. It's a fairly detailed process. That can be expensive for someone who is looking to have a psychological assessment for determination of eligibility.
Unless it occurs within a hospital setting or through Veterans Affairs, I think a large majority of people wouldn't be able to proceed.
8:05 p.m.
Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I will cede the rest of my time back to the committee.
8:05 p.m.
Conservative
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Dr. Gaind, I'll ask you a couple of questions. Most of them only require yes-or-no answers, so if you pontificate, I'll regretfully cut you off because we have only three minutes.
The first question is, are the medical regulators of each province responsible for the oversight of medical practice in their jurisdiction?
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
I guess so.
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
That would be a yes.
We've heard from Dr. Grant, who is the chair of FMRAC, that they are ready. I also have received some correspondence from people who have some responsibility for MAID-readiness in their own provinces.
Dr. Hayden Rubensohn of Alberta said, “Alberta and other Canadian jurisdictions are ready for the sunset clause banning MAiD where a Mental Disorder is the Sole Underlying Medical Condition....to lapse.”
Dr. Selene Etches of Nova Scotia said, “Despite the challenges that” the legalization...etc., “we feel well prepared in Nova Scotia.”
Dr. Lilian Thorpe of Saskatchewan said, “I believe that we can make the expansion to include MAID MD-SUMC safe and appropriate. I believe we are ready.”
It's interesting because those people who are actually responsible for doing this work say that they have readiness.
Can you help this committee understand? Are there bodies in Canada that accredit medical training programs?
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
As you know, Senator Kutcher, there are.
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
The committee may not know. What are those two bodies that accredit medical training programs?
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
I'm happy to answer your questions, but it sounds to me like you actually know the answers you want.
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
I understand that.
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
It's the Royal College and the CFPC.
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
That's the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Are you aware that they have accredited the CAMAP curriculum?
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
I'm aware that 100 people seem to have registered for the CAMAP curriculum—
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
No, I'm asking if you are aware that they have accredited the CAMAP program.
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
I'm not aware of that, and it doesn't mean anything to me.
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
I think that helps us understand your testimony better.
Let the record show that those bodies that are responsible for accrediting medical training programs, the Royal College and the College of Family Physicians of Canada, have accredited the program. They are responsible for making sure these training programs meet expected standards.
Are you telling us that your opinion of the program overrides the accreditation process of both the Royal College and the College of Family Physicians?
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
I'm telling you that those are not based on evidence. It's not my opinion: They're not based on any evidence.
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
It's your opinion, then, that these colleges that accredit our medical training in this country should listen to you.
8:05 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
No, I'm not personalizing it. As I said, it's evidence.
8:05 p.m.
Senator, Nova Scotia, ISG
Did you actually take the training program, or did you only read the module?
8:10 p.m.
Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, As an Individual
I did not want the number of my download to be co-opted as a sign of readiness. That's happened in a previous committee.
