Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Thanks to the witnesses for being with us this evening. The subject before us is very important, very moving and complex.
I am a former Quebec government minister. In 2014, I was in that position and voted for medical assistance in dying. Today, Quebec members have issued a news release to urge the present government to proceed with the changes proposed by the medical assistance in dying committee in Quebec based on a broad consultation.
The studies we are currently conducting on the subject are very interesting. We have to take the time to consider the right issues. We have to avoid moving ahead blindly and instead be clear about what we're doing. It's obvious that the positions expressed here this evening are entrenched.
Dr. L'Espérance, earlier the Honourable James Cowan and Ms. Long, from Dying with Dignity Canada, said that people should go ahead with or without a diagnosis. What you're telling us this evening is that you have to establish a diagnosis.