Thank you.
With that, I would like once again to welcome the members of the committee, the witnesses and members of the public who are following this meeting of the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying.
I am Senator Yonah Martin, and I am the Senate's joint chair of this committee.
I'm joined by the Honourable Marc Garneau, the House of Commons' joint chair.
Today we continue our planned review of the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to medical assistance in dying and their application.
The Board of Internal Economy requires that committees adhere to the health protocols, which are in effect until June 23, 2022. As joint chairs, we will enforce these measures, and we thank everyone for their co-operation.
I'd like to remind members and witnesses to keep their microphones muted unless recognized by name by the joint chair.
As a reminder, all comments should be addressed through the joint chairs. When speaking, please speak slowly and clearly.
Interpretation in this video conference will work as it does in an in-person committee meeting. You have the choice, at the bottom of your screen, of either “floor”, “English” or “French”.
With that, I'd like to welcome all of our witnesses.
For the first panel, we have, as individuals, Louise Bernier, professor, faculty of law, Université de Sherbrooke, and Trudo Lemmens, professor, Scholl chair, health law and policy, faculty of law, University of Toronto.
We also have Ms. Danielle Chalifoux, lawyer and chair of the Institut de planification des soins du Québec.
Each of our witnesses will have five minutes, starting with Ms. Bernier.